It struck me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "It struck me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a sudden realization or insight about something. Example: "As I was reading the article, it struck me how much we take for granted in our daily lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It struck me hard.

The New York Times

It struck me as strange.

The New York Times

It struck me as an interesting idea".

The New York Times

"It struck me as political," he said.

The New York Times

It struck me that he was nervous.

The New Yorker

It struck me as newly prosperous.

The New York Times - Magazine

It struck me that we were unusual".

The New York Times - Arts

"It struck me suddenly as unbearably undignified.

The Guardian

It struck me as clever and interesting.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It struck me as odd," Valentine said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It struck me as racist," he recalls.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure. While "It struck me" is perfectly acceptable, consider using alternatives like "I realized" or "It dawned on me" for stylistic variation and to avoid repetition.

Common error

Ensure the verb tense following "It struck me" aligns with the timeline of the realization. Avoid shifting tenses mid-sentence, maintaining consistency for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "It struck me" functions as an introductory clause to express a sudden realization, thought, or idea. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. It sets the stage for the speaker to share an insight that came to them unexpectedly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "It struck me" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a sudden realization or insight. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It is prevalent in news and media, as well as other contexts, while remaining suitable for both formal and informal writing. When using the phrase, ensure that the verb tense is consistent to maintain clarity. While acceptable in many contexts, writers may consider using alternatives to reduce repetition and to improve stylistic variation. The phrase's frequency and varied applications across reputable sources underscore its value in expressing spontaneous insights.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It dawned on me

Replaces "struck" with "dawned", emphasizing a gradual realization rather than a sudden impact.

I suddenly realized

Focuses on the speaker's realization rather than the impact of the idea.

It hit me

More informal and emphasizes the forceful nature of the realization.

It became clear to me

Highlights the clarification of something previously unclear.

The thought occurred to me

More formal and suggests a passing idea.

It registered with me

Implies a delayed understanding or acceptance.

I came to the conclusion

Highlights the end result of a thought process.

I had an epiphany

Emphasizes a profound and life-changing realization.

I understood

Simple and direct expression of comprehension.

I perceived

More formal and suggests a careful observation.

FAQs

What does "It struck me" mean?

The phrase "It struck me" means that a thought, idea, or realization suddenly became clear or apparent to someone.

What can I say instead of "It struck me"?

You can use alternatives like "I suddenly realized", "it dawned on me", or "I came to the conclusion" depending on the context.

Is "It struck me" formal or informal?

"It struck me" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, you might consider using alternatives like "the thought occurred to me" or "I came to the conclusion".

How to use "It struck me" in a sentence?

Use "It struck me" to introduce a sudden thought or realization. For example, "As I was reading the news, "it struck me" how interconnected global events have become."