Question

Choose the sentence that is free from error.

• A. Hardly had I reached the station than the train departed.
• B. Hardly I had reached the station when the train departed.
• C. Hardly had I reached the station when the train departed.
• D. Hardly had reached I the station when the train departed.

Hint:

Remember: No sooner–than, Hardly–when, Scarcely–when. These pairs are frequently tested in CUET grammar questions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: This question tests inversion and conjunction usage. The fixed grammatical pattern is: \[ \text{Hardly} + \text{had} + \text{subject} + \text{past participle} + \text{when} \]

Step 1: Recall the pair: \[ \text{Hardly} \rightarrow \text{when} \] and not \[ \text{Hardly} \rightarrow \text{than} \]

Step 2: Check each option. Option (A): Uses than. Incorrect. Option (B): Incorrect inversion. Option (C): Perfectly follows the required structure. Option (D): Incorrect word order.

Step 3: Hence, \[ \boxed{\text{Option (C)}} \]