a sudden blaze

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sudden blaze" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unexpected and intense fire or a rapid increase in brightness or intensity. Example: "As the storm approached, a sudden blaze lit up the sky, illuminating the dark clouds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"At that moment I felt a sudden blaze of fire envelop me," Mr. Restrepo said.

The New York Times

One frosty night he rushed to the palace to save books from a sudden blaze.

The New York Times - Books

The whole panicle suggests tiny firecrackers exploding in a sudden blaze of palest pink.

The New York Times

In 1776, the British troops were hot on the trail of George Washington, hoping for a quick end to the Colonial rebellion, when their path was blocked by a sudden blaze that broke out in Manhattan.

The New York Times

A sudden blaze and then the cloud of tons of debris driven upwards against gravity.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

A sudden, fierce blaze leveled a sizable portion of the famed Calico Ghost Town near Barstow on Tuesday morning, but firefighters were able to quell the flames before they reached the site's original structures, which date back to a silver mining boom in the 1880s.

Los Angeles Times

It was the music, the artist, and the community of fans — instant cousinship, as Graham called it — together with the sudden blaze of lights, the press of sweaty flesh, and a thousand fists punching the air as the chorus rolled around.

The New Yorker

On 3 September 1666 the London Gazette just found room to add one paragraph of breaking news: a "sudden lamentable fire" was blazing in London, having broken out in the small hours of Sunday morning.

The Guardian

The hotshots had been in the midst of celebrating their 10-year anniversary when the Yarnell Hill fire trapped them in a "burn over," as a sudden strong shift of the wind pushed the blaze onto their position.

Huffington Post

Then, all of a sudden, Samsung came along, all technological and marketing guns blazing, and that was that.

The New York Times

"The market is once again getting scared that the excess money the consumer had picked up, all of a sudden that looks like it's walking out the door a touch," said Blaze Tankersley, chief market strategist at Bay Crest Partners.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sudden blaze" to vividly describe unexpected fires or intense bursts of light or strong emotion in literary or descriptive contexts. This phrase is particularly effective when aiming for dramatic impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a sudden blaze" in technical or scientific contexts where precision is paramount. Opt for more specific and descriptive terms that accurately convey the nature and characteristics of the event being described.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a sudden blaze" is as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject or object in a sentence, describing a specific instance of fire or intense light. Ludwig examples showcase its descriptive use in various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sudden blaze" is a grammatically sound noun phrase effectively used to describe unexpected and intense fires or bursts of light. As confirmed by Ludwig, it commonly appears in news and media contexts for dramatic effect. While grammatically correct, its descriptive nature lends itself more to narrative or literary contexts rather than technical writing. Alternatives include "an unexpected fire" or "a rapid flare-up", depending on the desired nuance. Remember to use this phrase when you want to create a vivid and impactful image of sudden intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unexpected fire

Replaces "sudden" with "unexpected", emphasizing the surprise aspect.

a rapid flare-up

Focuses on the speed and intensity of the fire.

an instantaneous ignition

Highlights the immediate start of the blaze.

a quick burst of flames

Emphasizes the short duration and intensity of the fire.

a spontaneous combustion

Suggests a self-igniting fire, adding a layer of unpredictability.

a sharp outbreak of fire

Replaces "sudden" with "sharp" and "blaze" with "outbreak of fire", focusing on intensity.

an abrupt conflagration

Uses a more formal term for a large and destructive fire.

an immediate flare

Highlights the speed of the fire's onset.

a startling ignition

Emphasizes the surprising nature of the fire starting.

a swift burst of light

Shifts the focus from fire to light, maintaining the sudden and intense quality.

FAQs

How can I use "a sudden blaze" in a sentence?

"A sudden blaze" can be used to describe an unexpected fire or a sudden intense light. For example, "The forest was engulfed in "a sudden blaze" after the lightning strike" or "A sudden blaze of inspiration filled his mind".

What are some synonyms for "a sudden blaze"?

Alternatives include "an unexpected fire", "a rapid flare-up", or "an instantaneous ignition", depending on the specific context you want to emphasize.

Is "a sudden blaze" formal or informal?

"A sudden blaze" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in various contexts, but it's most effective in descriptive or narrative writing rather than formal reports.

What does "a sudden blaze" typically describe?

It usually describes an unexpected and intense fire or a rapid increase in brightness or intensity of light or emotion. The phrase emphasizes the suddenness and intensity of the event.