before we know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before we know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will happen quickly or unexpectedly, often referring to time passing or events unfolding. Example: "Before we know it, the summer will be over and school will start again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As I said before, we know where he sits, where he walks.

The New Yorker

How long before we know the truth?

Independent

"It'll be here before we know it," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

But love takes shape before we know it.

The Guardian - Books

It'll be Lord Alvarez before we know it".

The Guardian

"It will be a while before we know anything".

The New York Times

That shouldn't be rejected outright before we know the facts.

The New York Times

And this is before we know what Trump will do.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Before we know it, we could see our world turned into Orwell's 1984".

The New York Times - Tech

It shouldn't be very long before we know which side in this debate is right.

The New Yorker

Before we know it, another day has passed and we're still in the same place.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ the phrase to transition smoothly between ideas, suggesting a natural progression of events.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "before we know it" excessively in formal or academic writing, as it can sound too casual. Opt for more precise and descriptive language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before we know" functions as an adverbial phrase, often introducing a clause that indicates a quick or unexpected passage of time. Ludwig's examples illustrate its role in setting a temporal context for an event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Social Media

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "before we know" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, typically functioning as an adverbial phrase to indicate the swift passage of time or the unexpected occurrence of an event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts, although it can be considered somewhat informal for highly academic or professional writing. When writing, consider alternatives such as "sooner than we think" or "before we realize it" for variety or to better suit the tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before we realize it

Focuses on the lack of awareness until the event has already happened.

before we expect it

Stresses the unexpected nature of the event.

sooner than we think

Emphasizes the nearness in time more directly than "before we know it".

in the blink of an eye

Highlights the suddenness and speed with which something occurs.

more quickly than we imagine

Highlights a faster pace than anticipated.

in no time

Simple and direct way to express speed.

rapidly approaching

Suggests an imminent arrival or occurrence.

it will soon be here

Emphasizes the impending arrival of something.

just around the corner

Indicates something is very close in time or proximity.

in a short while

Indicates that something will happen in a relatively brief period.

FAQs

How can I use "before we know" in a sentence?

You can use "before we know" to indicate that something will happen quickly or unexpectedly. For example, "Before we know it, the summer will be over."

What's the difference between "before we know it" and "before we realize it"?

While similar, "before we know it" often implies a quicker passage of time or a more sudden realization than "before we realize it", which focuses on the lack of awareness until the event occurs.

What can I say instead of "before we know"?

Alternatives include "sooner than we think", "in the blink of an eye", or "before we expect it" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "before we know it" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "before we know it" might be perceived as too casual for certain formal contexts. Consider using more precise language to convey your intended meaning.