No sooner ... than, not only, never, on no account If a sentence begins with a 'negative adverb', the subject and the verb (or auxiliary) which follow are inverted: Not only is sibling rivalry normal, it can also have a positive side. No sooner had I started to make the lunch than my boy called me to help him with his homework. On no account must you touch that wire. Note: Beginning a sentence with a negative advert is formal and is often found in written English. exercises home