Question

Identify the correct version of the sentence:
"Hardly had he entered the room when he was hearing the explosion."

• A. Hardly had he entered the room when he heard the explosion.
• B. Hardly he had entered the room when he heard the explosion.
• C. He hardly entered the room when he was hearing the explosion.
• D. No correction needed.

Hint:

\textbf{Tip:} In correlative structures like "Hardly...when", use past perfect for the first part and simple past for the second.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

This sentence assesses the accuracy of verb tenses and word order.

Analysis:

1. Verb Tense Accuracy: The sentence initiates with "Hardly had he entered," employing the past perfect tense. Consequently, the subsequent action necessitates the simple past tense—"heard," rather than "was hearing."

The correct construction is: "Hardly had he entered the room when he heard the explosion."

2. Word Order Convention: The sentence employs an inverted structure due to its commencement with "Hardly." This inversion is standard in English for emphasis, particularly following terms such as "Hardly" or "No sooner."

Corrected Sentence: "Hardly had he entered the room when he heard the explosion."