Parts of the following sentence have been given as options. Select the option that contains an error.
He had hardly finished his work then the manager asked for another report, which took another two hours.
Answer और ExplanationAnswer and explanation
Answer: (B) his work then the manager
Concept ('Hardly ... when'): 'Hardly' के साथ Conjunction (संयोजक) 'when' (या 'before') आता है, 'then' नहीं। Structure है: hardly + had + Subject + V3 + when + Simple Past।
अतः 'his work then the manager' में 'then' के स्थान पर 'when' होगा।
✓ Correct sentence: He had hardly finished his work when the manager asked for another report, which took another two hours.
Exam trap: 'then' को 'when' के स्थान पर सही मान लेना।
Concept ('Hardly ... when'): 'Hardly' is used with the conjunction 'when' (or 'before'), not 'then'. The structure is hardly + had + subject + V3 + when + simple past.
So 'his work then the manager' should be 'his work when the manager'.
✓ Correct sentence: He had hardly finished his work when the manager asked for another report, which took another two hours.
Exam trap: accepting 'then' in place of 'when' because the words look similar in meaning.
Source: DSSSB ASO 2026 · 29 Sep 2026 · Shift I। Solution: Prashant Sir, Ramban।Source: DSSSB ASO 2026 · 29 Sep 2026 · Shift I. Solution by Prashant Sir, from Ramban.