Example sentences of "before [pron] could [verb] " in BNC.

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1 Looking at my diary after lunch , I realised it was MKM day and they might sell out before someone could get me a copy !
2 Before I could gather myself properly , I found myself being dragged across the desert at more than thirty miles per hour by the wind … .
3 I then noticed how large the Wrasse had grown , snatching the food from my fingers before I could offer it to my other fish .
4 Before I could pull 30 kilometres , now only half that . ’
5 But he was taken away before I could discover his history — as you know very well . ’
6 It was as though playing in the Wendy House was something I had to do before I could settle to weightier matters .
7 Oh a long time , er , matter of years really before I could settle down at , as I say to me it was roots
8 I work as a freelance translator , and I 'd have to find out what opportunities there are here before I could decide . ’
9 It was across the before I could shout and say come back .
10 I sat for about three quarters of an hour before I could continue the journey .
11 My eye fell on a page she had left on the kitchen table the other day and I had noted , before I could avert my eyes , a pretty scholarly history of my conversion to double-knotting , after an incident when I was unable to get out of the train at Greenwich one evening and found myself being carried on to Maze Hill , because someone was standing on the trailing lace of my shoe .
12 Before I could deliver another , he had grasped my wrist and we were fighting face to face , nearly falling into the fire as we did so .
13 I got on before I could change my mind and we bounced around for a few minutes .
14 I loved the programme and the people but I made the decision to leave at the right point , before I could grow bored . ’
15 Before I could answer his questions he remarked slowly , ‘ You know , Boyo , I had a bloody good dream .
16 Before I could answer , he barked , ‘ Right , fall out . ’
17 Before I could answer , Paddy emerged flashing a torch in our direction .
18 Before I could answer , a shrill peal of laughter cut through the air like fingernails dragged down a blackboard .
19 Before I could answer , the fish expert butted in with ‘ Oh that 's just a shuddybunkin . ’
20 Charlie did his stuff before I could answer .
21 ‘ Your boots are muddy , ’ she said , then before I could answer , ‘ You may use this room for hearing cues if you wish and going over parts .
22 ‘ Did you enjoy the piece ? ’ he asked , and before I could answer he went on , ‘ I myself did not .
23 He went on before I could answer .
24 I think I would have to see your soul before I could answer those questions . ’
25 But I do n't know anything about selling things , only before I could tell that to the woman who owns the stall she 'd rushed off to follow someone called Harry — who 's not getting away with it , ’ she tacked on comically .
26 Before I could twist my face into anything faintly resembling a sneer , the vendor explained that there were four such structures in a similar state of repair and that a Frenchman had expressed great interest .
27 Happily Lendl 's humour resurfaced when he was asked what difference marriage had made : ‘ Before I could do everything I wanted to do , now I have to ask . ’
28 Before I could do anything , two medics came sprinting along the path from the direction of the big house .
29 A slim attractive girl in jeans hovered near , her pose suggesting I could approach her ; but before I could do so Señora Sanchez accosted me .
30 Before I could do this someone snatched my handbag and made off with it .
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