Choose the option that best fills in the blank:No sooner had the door...
As a rule, follow 'no sooner' with 'than' and not with 'but'. Hence, the correct answer is C) Than.
Choose the option that best fills in the blank:No sooner had the door...
Understanding the Sentence Structure
In the sentence, "No sooner had the door closed _______ he breathed a sigh of relief," we need to analyze the relationship between the two clauses.
Usage of "No sooner... than"
- The phrase "No sooner... than" is a common English idiom used to express that one event happens immediately after another.
- It indicates a quick succession of actions, emphasizing that as soon as something occurs, something else follows.
Why Option 'C' is Correct
- Option 'C', "than," is the correct choice here because it fits the structure of the idiom. The complete phrase would read as: "No sooner had the door closed than he breathed a sigh of relief."
- This construction correctly conveys that his sigh of relief came immediately after the door closed.
Other Options Explained
- Option 'a' "for": This does not fit grammatically and does not convey the intended meaning of immediacy.
- Option 'b' "but": This suggests a contrast, which doesn't align with the context of the sentence. The sigh of relief is not contrasting the closing of the door but is a direct consequence of it.
- Option 'd' "when": While "when" can imply time, it does not convey the immediate following action as effectively as "than" does in this idiom.
Conclusion
In summary, "than" is the only option that completes the idiomatic expression correctly, emphasizing the immediate sequence of actions in the sentence.