Learn · Sentences Inversion Sentences
Hardly had I finished speaking when he started.
B2Sentence
Narrator
Hardly had I finished speaking when he started.
Study notes
How to use in different contexts
Narrating Events
I had barely finished speaking when he interrupted.
Emphasizing Immediacy
No sooner had I spoken than he began to argue.
Describing a Reaction
The moment I stopped talking, he started his own speech.
Adding Dramatic Effect
Scarcely had the words left my lips when he launched into a tirade.
Rephrased versions
Formal
Upon completion of my statement, he immediately commenced speaking.
Casual
I'd just finished talking, and bam! He started.
Simpler English
Right after I spoke, he began.
Phrases to learn
Hardly had I finished speaking
Immediately after I finished speaking.
started
Began an action or process.