Replace the words in the bracket from the set of options given.
No sooner (than Shweta saw) the dog, she ran away.

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

The phrase "No sooner" is a correlative conjunction used to indicate that one event happened immediately after another.
When a sentence begins with "No sooner," it requires a specific inverted structure for the clause that follows.
The correct grammatical structure is: No sooner + had + Subject + Past Participle (V3) + than + Subject + Simple Past (V2).
In this sentence, "Had Shweta seen" correctly follows this rule, with 'had' as the auxiliary verb, 'Shweta' as the subject, and 'seen' as the past participle.
The complete, correct sentence is: "No sooner had Shweta seen the dog than she ran away.".

Option A: The auxiliary verb 'did' must be followed by the base form of the verb (V1), which is 'see'. 'Saw' is the past tense form (V2), creating a 'double past' error.
Option B: This option fails to use the mandatory inversion (auxiliary verb before the subject) required after "No sooner". Also, the present perfect tense ('has seen') is incorrect; the past perfect ('had seen') is needed to show the first of two past actions.
Option C: The auxiliary verb 'did' must be followed by the base form of the verb (V1), which is 'see'. 'Seen' is the past participle (V3).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Correct usage of the correlative conjunction 'No sooner...than' and subject-verb inversion as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While this is a general English question, clear and grammatically correct communication is a critical skill in nursing.
Accurate patient documentation, shift handovers, and instructions rely on precise language to prevent misunderstandings and ensure patient safety.
Errors in grammar, such as confusing verb tenses, could misrepresent the timeline of a patient's symptoms or the administration of a medication.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the key grammatical phrase in the sentence, which is "No sooner...than".
Recall the specific rule for sentences beginning with "No sooner." This rule requires inversion, meaning the auxiliary verb is placed before the subject.
Remember the standard structure: No sooner + had + Subject + Past Participle (V3)... than ....
Evaluate each option against this grammatical structure.
Eliminate options that violate the rules of inversion (e.g., "Shweta has seen") or use incorrect verb forms after the auxiliary verb (e.g., "Did Shweta saw" or "Did Shweta seen").
Select the option that perfectly fits the correct grammatical pattern, which is "Had Shweta seen".

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Correct usage of the correlative conjunction 'No sooner...than' and subject-verb inversion.
Stem keywords: No sooner, grammar, sentence correction
Lead-in keywords: Replace the words

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Practise the full DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.