The following sentence has been divided into four parts labelled A, B, C, D. One of them has an error. Identify the error and select the option that rectifies it.
(A) Hardly he had / (B) entered the hall / (C) when the lights / (D) went off suddenly.
Answer और ExplanationAnswer and explanation
Answer: (B) Hardly had he
Concept (Hardly के बाद Inversion): जब वाक्य 'Hardly' जैसे Negative Adverb (नकारात्मक क्रियाविशेषण) से शुरू होता है, तब Inversion होता है, अर्थात् Auxiliary Verb पहले आती है: Hardly + had + Subject + V3 ... when।
अतः 'Hardly he had' के स्थान पर 'Hardly had he' होगा।
✓ शुद्ध वाक्य: Hardly had he entered the hall when the lights went off suddenly.
Examiner का trap: 'Hardly' के बाद Inversion होने के बावजूद सामान्य Subject-Verb क्रम को सही मान लेना ही इसका जाल है।
Concept (Inversion after Hardly): when a sentence begins with a negative adverb such as 'Hardly', inversion takes place, so the auxiliary verb comes first: Hardly + had + subject + V3 ... when.
Hence, 'Hardly he had' should be replaced by 'Hardly had he'.
✓ Correct sentence: Hardly had he entered the hall when the lights went off suddenly.
Exam trap: accepting 'Hardly he had' in ordinary subject-verb order. Inversion follows 'Hardly'.
Source: DSSSB ASO 2026 · 22 Sep 2026 · Shift II। Solution: Prashant Sir, Ramban।Source: DSSSB ASO 2026 · 22 Sep 2026 · Shift II. Solution by Prashant Sir, from Ramban.