under no circumstances

[mayclaire]

Which one is correct?
Under no circumstances should John be allowed to do it alone.
Under no circumstances did John realize how easy it was.
Would you please explain it?

[Anglika]

You have two completely different statements with different meanings. Both are grammatically correct.

What is the context for these?

[mayclaire]

I appreciate your help! This is a question on a college entrance exam in our country. No context at all! The question is " Under no circumstances_________" and the options are " should John be allowed to do it alone." , " did John realize how easy it was." and other wrong options.
Thanks a million!

[Jason72]

This is more logical:
Under no circumstances should John be allowed to do it alone.

Under no circumstances did John realize how easy it was.
This is a bit odd... I can't see the main point of the sentence, so I repeat - the first one makes far more sense.

All the best!

[Jason72]

Um... Can you at least tell us what is the headline of that exercise or chapter?

[mayclaire]

The followng is the original test.

Matching Sentences
Questions from 1 to 5 are unfinished sentences. Please choose the best option to combine with each question to form a meaningful and correct sentence.
1. We didn’t have the chance to talk to the man
2. Under no circumstances
3. When Mike enters the living room,
4. Tell me all the truth,
5. If you had told me the situation earlier,

(A) or you’ll be in big trouble.
(B) I would have gone with you.
(C) the traffic and the noise bothered him greatly.
(D) I could not help you solve the problem.
(E) until he sees Mary immediately.
(F) he’ll see John sitting by the fire.
(G) should John be allowed to do it alone.
(H) then John knew he had passed it.
( I ) did John realize how easy it was.
( J ) whose car was stolen.

[Casiopea]

Hello, mayclaire.

You have the subject-verb inversion right; it's the semantics that break the tie. Under no circumstances introduces strong advice; e.g., under no circumstances should you...

2. Under no circumstances (G) should John be allowed to do it alone.

Does that help?

[mayclaire]

Thanks for all your help! I've got it! As far as semantics is concerned, we foreigners have a lot to learn! By the way, if I want to change " Under no circumstances did John realize how easy it was." into a meaningful sentence, what will it be?
Thanks a lot in advance!

[MarkHarrison]

The followng is the original test.

Matching Sentences
Questions from 1 to 5 are unfinished sentences. Please choose the best option to combine with each question to form a meaningful and correct sentence.
1. We didn’t have the chance to talk to the man
2. Under no circumstances
3. When Mike enters the living room,
4. Tell me all the truth,
5. If you had told me the situation earlier,

(A) or you’ll be in big trouble.
(B) I would have gone with you.
(C) the traffic and the noise bothered him greatly.
(D) I could not help you solve the problem.
(E) until he sees Mary immediately.
(F) he’ll see John sitting by the fire.
(G) should John be allowed to do it alone.
(H) then John knew he had passed it.
( I ) did John realize how easy it was.
( J ) whose car was stolen.

And for completeness:

1J
We didn’t have the chance to talk to the man whose car was stolen.
2G
Under no circumstances should John be allowed to do it alone.
3F
When Mike enters the living room, he’ll see John sitting by the fire.
4A
Tell me all the truth, or you’ll be in big trouble.
5
If you had told me the situation earlier, I would have gone with you.

Oh, and I think that 1 and 4 would be better as:

- We didn't have a chance to talk to the man whose car had been stolen.
- Tell me the whole truth, or you’ll be in big trouble.

Mark

[Jason72]

Under no circumstances did John realize how easy it was

how easy it was

This can be interpreted in many ways, but I find it odd...