Meaning
The phrase “it strikes someone that…” is used to express a sudden realization or insight.
However, note that the correct form in standard English is usually:
“It strikes someone that…” (without “to”)
So, “it strikes to someone that” is generally considered ungrammatical.
The verb strike in this context is used transitively: something strikes someone.
Correct Usage
- It struck me that she was hiding something.
- It suddenly struck him that he had left the door unlocked.
- It never struck us that they might be lying.
Common Mistake
Many learners mistakenly add “to”, saying “it strikes to me that…”.
This is incorrect because strike takes a direct object here — no preposition is needed.
Tips for Learners
Think of similar expressions like “It occurred to me that…” (which does use “to”), but remember: “It struck me that…” does not.
If you’re unsure, try replacing “struck” with “hit”: “It hit me that…” sounds natural; “It hit to me that…” does not.