as soon as/ upon ing/ no sooner/ hardly

Question

1. On arriving home, he did his homework.
2. As soon as he arrived home, he did his homework.
3. The moment(Momently) he arrived home, he did his homework.
4. The moment(Momently) he arrived home, he did his homework.
5. The instant(instantly) he arrived home, he did his homework.
6. The minute he arrived home, he did his homework.
7. He had no sooner arrived home than he did his homework.
8. No sooner had he arrived home than he did his homework.
9. He had scarcely(hardly) arrived home when(before) he did his homework.
10. Scarcely(Hardly) had he arrived home when(before) he did his homework.

Q) Are #1~10 interpreted in the same(similar) concept/thread?

Philip · Accepted Answer

They are all similar in meaning, but I think you probably want started (to do) his homework. #8 is much more natural than #7. #9 is more natural than #10.
I have never come across 'momently'. #5 to use 'instantly' it must go with the verb (as I suggested, he instantly started).

CalifJim · Answer

moon7296Are #1~10 interpreted in the same(similar) concept/thread?

Yes, except that #1 doesn't seem to show such an immediate transition from one event to the next as the others do.

Philip has already mentioned a few other points worth noting.

CJ

Moon7296 · Answer

CalifJim#1 doesn't seem to show such an immediate transition from one event to the next as the others do.

Ah, then #1 suggests that after he arrived at home, (and a few seconds or minutes later) he started to do homework?

Moon7296 · Answer

Philip #5 to use 'instantly' it must go with the verb (as I suggested, he instantly started).

You mean, #5 can be used, but should be rephrased?
Does "instantly" have to go with any some verbs like "start?" E.g., Instantly he started homework, his friend came over to his house.

CalifJim · Answer

moon7296CalifJim#1 doesn't seem to show such an immediate transition from one event to the next as the others do.Ah, then #1 suggests that after he arrived at home, (and a few seconds or minutes later) he started to do homework?

Not really. All the others suggest that the homework started "immediately" after arriving home (allowing for time to take off a coat, turn on the lights, get the homework books, pencils, and paper ready, of course).

To me, the first one just suggests that the transition from arrival to homework was even more leisurely than described above. But that could just be my personal reaction to the sentences.

CJ

as soon as/ upon ing/ no sooner/ hardly

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