No Sooner
* Structure: "No sooner" is always followed by than.
* Meaning: It emphasizes the suddenness and unexpectedness of the second event following the first.
* Example: "No sooner had she arrived at the party than the music stopped." (The music stopping was unexpected and happened right after she arrived.)
As Soon As
* Structure: "As soon as" is followed by a verb.
* Meaning: It simply indicates that one event happens immediately after another.
* Example: "As soon as she arrived at the party, she started dancing." (Her dancing started immediately after she arrived, but this was expected.)
Here's a table summarizing the differences:
| Feature | No Sooner | As Soon As |
|-------------|-------------|-------------|
| Structure | + than | + verb |
| Meaning | Suddenness, unexpectedness | Immediate occurrence |
| Emphasis | Unexpectedness | Timing |
In a nutshell, "no sooner" emphasizes the unexpectedness of the second event, while "as soon as" simply indicates the immediate occurrence of the second event.
Choosing the right one:
* If you want to emphasize the suddenness and unexpectedness of the second event, use "no sooner."
* If you just want to indicate the immediate occurrence of the second event, use "as soon as."
Important Note: Both "no sooner" and "as soon as" are followed by a past perfect tense in the first clause, and a simple past tense in the second clause.