(No sooner/my father/sit down) (a)   to dinner than there was a knock on the door.

(Little/he/know) (a)   that his culinary skills are quite substandard.

(At no time/ I/ mean) (a)   to hurt your feelings. It was all a big misunderstanding.

(Seldom/we/ have) (a)   friends over for a drink. We prefer to meet them at pubs or restaurants.

(Only once/ I/climb) (a)   such a high mountain before.

(Not only/he/make) (a)   a mean cheesecake, but he also prepares homemade jam.

Only when the situation gets out of hand (a)   (the government/ begin) to act

Not until June (a)   (you/can /get) all the swimming gear out of the drawers.

Her eyes were very red. (a)   (only later/I/find out) that her fiancé had broken up with her.