--- vs and before I knew it

These two phrases are not directly comparable as they serve different purposes. "---" is used as a separator or to indicate a pause, while "and before I knew it" is used to express surprise at how quickly something happened. They are not interchangeable in most contexts.

Last updated: March 08, 2024 • 755 views

---

This is a common way to indicate a pause or a separation in writing.

The three dashes (---) are often used to separate sections of a text or to indicate a pause in dialogue. It can also be used to create emphasis or draw attention to a particular point.

Examples:

She opened the door and --- there it was, the surprise of her life.
The story was divided into three parts: the beginning, the middle, and --- the end.
He paused for a moment, --- then continued with his speech.

and before I knew it

This phrase is correct and commonly used to express surprise at how quickly something happened.

This phrase is used to describe a situation where something happened quickly or unexpectedly. It is often used in storytelling or recounting events to convey a sense of surprise or suddenness.

Examples:

I started reading the book, and before I knew it, I had finished the whole thing.
We were talking about our plans, and before I knew it, we were on a plane to Paris.
I was just browsing online, and before I knew it, I had spent hours shopping.

Show examples from the web [+]

"I bottle-fed, and I breastfed, and before I knew it, they were all eating stale french fries off the floor of the minivan, and I was like, whatever, thanks for cleaning.
May 15, 2012 ... I bottle-fed, and I breastfed, and before I knew it, they were all eating stale french fries off the floor of the minivan, and I was like, whatever, ...
May 29, 2014 ... And Before I Knew It My Boobs Were On The News. It was recently brought to my attention that posting the pictures that I do on here might make ...
Fortuitously, the pickup spot for the elite and sub-elite buses was only 3 blocks from my hotel (completely random), so I walked over there and before I knew it, ...

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--- vs and before I knew it

---

and before I knew it

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