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scarcely did vs scarcely had

Both "scarcely did" and "scarcely had" are correct constructions. However, they are used in different contexts. "Scarcely did" is used to emphasize the action that follows, while "scarcely had" is used to emphasize the timing of the action in relation to another event.

Explained by Jennifer
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: June 10, 2024 • 2266 views

scarcely did

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize the action that follows.

Use "scarcely did" to emphasize the action that follows. It is often used in literary or formal writing.

Examples:

Scarcely did she finish her meal when the phone rang.
Scarccey did he arrive when the meeting started.
Scarcely did I begin my work when the power went out.

Show examples from the web [+]

and these things saying, scarcely did they restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them. Parallel Commentaries. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
Scarcely, I scarcely closed the door before he started talking. Scarcely did I close the door before he started talking. Seldom, We seldom cross the river after ...
Oct 3, 2012 ... I had had so many interruptions this morning that I scarcely did any work. Am confused whether to use, did/ had done/ have done after the ...
Scarcely did one funeral carriage pass before another came into sight wending its way with its sorrowful burden to the burying grounds. . . . Those who had no ...

Alternatives:

hardly did
barely did
rarely did
seldom did
almost never did

scarcely had

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize the timing of the action in relation to another event.

Use "scarcely had" to emphasize the timing of the action in relation to another event. It is often used in past perfect constructions.

Examples:

Scarcely had she finished her meal when the phone rang.
Scarcely had he arrived when the meeting started.
Scarcely had I begun my work when the power went out.

Show examples from the web [+]

Scarcely had the game started when it began to rain. 3used to suggest that something is not at all reasonable or likely It was scarcely an occasion for laughter.
Aug 20, 2013 ... ... using hardly/scarcely…when. Hardly had I reached the station when the train came. Scarcely had I reached the station when the train arrived.
And scarcely had she put that question than God gave her the answer in her own heart. At present he still forgot what was said to him and still did not see what ...
Scarcely had she put down the receiver when the phone rang again. Scarcely were the words spoken when he began to regret them. Collins COBUILD English ...

Alternatives:

hardly had
barely had
rarely had
seldom had
almost never had

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