Select the correct direct form of the given sentence:
He complained that the meeting had hardly started when the power went out.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer: He complained, "Hardly had the meeting started when the power went out."
Explanation:
• When a sentence begins with a negative or restrictive adverb like Hardly, the subject-auxiliary inversion rule applies (Hardly + had + subject + past participle...).
• The conjunction pairing with hardly is always when, followed by a simple past tense clause (when the power went out).
• In indirect speech, the reporting verb is complained and the conjunction that removes the inversion while keeping the sequence intact. Converting it back to the inverted direct form restores: "Hardly had the meeting started when the power went out."
Quick Tip: Remember the fixed correlative structure: Hardly / Scarcely + had + Subject + V3... when + Subject + V2.