Example sentences of "[was/were] only a [noun sg] [prep] time " in BNC.
Next page| No | Sentence |
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| 1 | Underpowered , overweight and outdated , the once 200 strong fleet , affectionately known as ‘ Whistlers ’ was in decline from the mid-1970s , and when major overhauls ceased at BREL Crewe in 1981 it was only a question of time before they disappeared first from top link Eastern Region duties , and finally in 1985 freight workings originating from the North West . |
| 2 | De Gaulle was not immortal , and so it was only a question of time before further attempts could be made to find a sheltered anchorage off the Western European shore . |
| 3 | The Midlands ' shop stewards knew it was only a question of time before the strike affected supplies to their own plants and those in the South , jeopardising the recovery plan which had been producing such vast improvements in performance . |
| 4 | It was only a question of time — unless help arrived . |
| 5 | Its value abroad was too high for the UK to compete , so its fall was only a question of time . |
| 6 | I knew from that moment that it was only a question of time — and perseverance on his part — before he would be completely cured . |
| 7 | It was only a question of time . |
| 8 | It was only a matter of time before a competitor sprang on the market . |
| 9 | Those who follow this sort of thing will tell you that yesterday 's recapitalisation of Ross Consumer Electronics was only a matter of time . |
| 10 | The Attlee administration , and Ernest Bevin in particular , believed it was only a matter of time before the British economy would recover . |
| 11 | It was only a matter of time before the ultimate blonde bombshells of designer fashion and pop joined forces . |
| 12 | Meanwhile , with the queen now in France , and in view of the relative skills of dowager and regent , it was only a matter of time before Arran was eased out of office . |
| 13 | With this increasingly active role which Highlander was playing in the civil rights movement , it was only a matter of time until the reactionary extremism , which the blacks had long been fighting against , began to be directed at Highlander itself . |
| 14 | It was only a matter of time before somebody thought of seeding Antarctic atmosphere to plug up the ozone hole . |
| 15 | Surrounded on every side by the followers of Mohammed — who also laid claim to Jerusalem and its lands — it was only a matter of time before war broke out in earnest . |
| 16 | Baxter 's career at Raith Rovers flourished and it was only a matter of time before he became won of Scotland 's most sought after young stars . |
| 17 | He was smuggled out of the Scotland camp but it was only a matter of time when his pursuers caught up . |
| 18 | Alexander 's first wife died , his two sons died ; the way he drank to forget it all and his mad rides at night to satisfy any lust , it was only a matter of time before such an accident occurred . ’ |
| 19 | Moreover , Corbett realised that if de Craon knew he was asking questions it was only a matter of time before the Council of Guardians intervened and either put a stop to his activities or expelled him from the country . |
| 20 | A counter-attack was only a matter of time . |
| 21 | The police probably knew everything ; it was only a matter of time now before they challenged her about that sample of nail polish . |
| 22 | Since many of these services and facilities are , or were , wholly or partially within the remit of local government , it was only a matter of time before we focused our attention on local government for enhancement of such provision . |
| 23 | I knew it was only a matter of time before I would die ’ . |
| 24 | There was a feeling , however , that even if Scotland had nudged ahead , it was only a matter of time before England got their act together . |
| 25 | It was only a matter of time before Barry hanged himself — and unfortunately he did . |
| 26 | It was only a matter of time before Barry hanged himself — and unfortunately he did . ’ |
| 27 | And it was only a matter of time when the truth came out . |
| 28 | It made people conscious that we were in touch with our friends in Burma again and it generated a spirit of confidence that liberation was only a matter of time . |
| 29 | It was only a matter of time . |
| 30 | I knew it was only a matter of time before people caught on to what he was trying to do back then ! |