It hit me. vs It hits me.

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'It hit me.' is past tense and is used to describe a sudden realization or understanding. 'It hits me.' is present tense and is used to describe a recurring realization or understanding.

Last updated: April 05, 2024 • 3444 views

It hit me.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe a sudden realization or understanding in the past.

This phrase is used in the past tense to express a sudden understanding or realization about something.

Examples:

When she explained the situation, it hit me that I had misunderstood everything.
The truth finally hit me, and I knew what I had to do.

Show examples from the web [+]

Then suddenly, it hit me.
And I remembered what Qasim said about the callers having accents, and then it hit me.
I would only like to know what it hit me.
When I saw your mother, it hit me.
I was eating breakfast, and it hit me.
And just then, it hit me.
But then halfway through her testimony, it hit me.
I was packing and talking to Blair about her classes, and then it hit me.
As I was walking past my son's bedroom while he was sleeping, it hit me.
And then just now, it hit me.
At first I wasn't sure what that sound was, but then it hit me.
I was, but then it hit me.
And then Naomi did the craziest thing she's ever done, and it hit me.
But then as I thought more, it hit me.
Earlier when you said that you liked girls, it hit me.
You know, I couldn't figure it out at first, but then it hit me.
That's when it hit me.
Because I woke up this morning, it hit me.
I was torn between chicken or beef, but then it hit me.
When I was in business school, one of my buddies joked that corporations are just like people, and, bam, it hit me.

Alternatives:

I suddenly understood.
I had a sudden realization.
It dawned on me.

It hits me.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe a recurring realization or understanding in the present.

This phrase is used in the present tense to express a recurring understanding or realization about something.

Examples:

Every time I see that movie, it hits me how much I miss my childhood.
When I look at old photos, it hits me how fast time flies.

Show examples from the web [+]

Looking up at this office building and it hits me.
And then it hits me.
All of a sudden it hits me.
So then it hits me.
A few months, it hits me.
And all of a sudden it hits me.
One day I'm training this puppy and it hits me.
And that's when it hits me.
Probably here, isn't it? That's where it hits me.
Then bam - it hits me.
And that's when it hits me.
And then it hits me. Boom!
It hits me. Again.
when it hits me.
And it hits me.
RUSS: So then it hits me.
And all of a sudden, it hits me.
But then it hits me.
Then it hits me.
And then it hits me.

Alternatives:

I realize.
I understand now.
I see clearly.

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