Introductory it as Subject
5.6 it V n/amount before/sinceThe verb is followed by a noun group or an amount, then a clause beginning with before or since. The noun group or amount is the Complement with the verbs be and seem, and the Object with the verb take.
There are only three verbs with this pattern. The verbs be and seem are link verbs (see Chapter 5).
be seem take
It is only a matter of time before other Asian women bands emerge.
We ought to get out of here fast; it won't be long before they send more troops after us.
It seems an age since we last played and it took a while to get going.
It took several months before Janice's condition could be stabilized.