Learn · Sentences Inversion Sentences
Hardly had I opened the door when the dog ran out.
B1Sentence
Narrator
Hardly had I opened the door when the dog ran out.
Study notes
How to use in different contexts
Narrating a Story
I had barely opened the door when, suddenly, the dog bolted out.
Describing a Quick Sequence
The moment I opened the door, the dog dashed out.
Expressing Surprise
No sooner had I opened the door than the dog was gone!
Adding Emphasis
I'd only just opened the door; the dog was already out.
Rephrased versions
Formal
Upon opening the door, the dog immediately exited.
Casual
The dog zoomed out as soon as I opened the door.
Simpler English
The dog ran out when I opened the door.
Phrases to learn
Hardly had I...
Used to emphasize the immediacy of an action following another.
ran out
To quickly exit or escape.