a sudden ending

USAGE SUMMARY

'a sudden ending' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in any context in which you want to describe a situation in which something comes to an abrupt or unexpected end. For example: After months of anticipation, the play ended in a sudden ending, disappointing the audience.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Biber's barbarisms were unmistakable: violent accents, lopsided movement and a sudden ending.

The New York Times - Arts

Instead, we had a reminder of what they were, and then a sudden ending that was both limp and abrupt".

Wikipedia

But a sudden ending of NAFTA would be devastating.

Los Angeles Times

Periampullary tumors must also be differentiated because the dilatation of the pancreatic duct and CBD together, and a sudden ending of the CBD, are common features of the anomalous opening of CBD and of the periampullary tumor (pancreatic carcinoma must also be differentiated).

BMC Gastroenterology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Against: He met a sudden end last week.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But the Fontenelles' new beginning came to a sudden end.

The New York Times

The thinnest sliver of shelter against a sudden end.

Nature

There was a sudden end to pictorial representation.

The Guardian

Spicer's resignation marks a sudden end to a short and rocky tenure.

The Washington Post

For the Ravens, the loss brought a sudden end to a season marked by drastic change.

The New York Times - Sports

The result was a sudden end to hundreds of lives — an irony that Hersh illustrates.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sudden ending" to emphasize the unexpected and abrupt nature of a conclusion. This phrase works well in narrative contexts to create suspense or highlight a turning point.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, avoid using "a sudden ending" excessively in formal or academic writing. More precise terms like 'abrupt termination' or 'premature conclusion' may be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sudden ending" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes the manner in which something concludes, emphasizing the abrupt and unexpected nature of the termination. Ludwig's examples show it commonly modifies subjects such as 'career', 'tenure', or 'life'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a sudden ending" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase that describes an abrupt and unexpected termination. While relatively rare, as indicated by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. More formal alternatives may be preferred in academic writing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and its usage emphasizes the surprise and finality associated with the conclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an abrupt conclusion

Replaces 'sudden ending' with synonyms 'abrupt' and 'conclusion'.

an unexpected termination

Substitutes 'sudden' with 'unexpected' and 'ending' with the more formal 'termination'.

an abrupt halt

Replaces 'ending' with 'halt', suggesting a more immediate stop.

an unforeseen conclusion

Replaces 'sudden' with 'unforeseen', emphasizing the lack of anticipation.

a precipitous finish

Uses 'precipitous' to describe the speed of the ending and 'finish' as a synonym.

a swift cessation

Employs 'swift' for speed and 'cessation' for a formal end.

an instantaneous stop

Highlights the immediacy of the end with 'instantaneous'.

an immediate close

Uses 'immediate' and 'close' to indicate a rapid termination.

a surprise finale

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the ending, particularly in creative works.

a truncated end

Uses 'truncated' to mean cut short or abbreviated.

FAQs

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

You can use "a sudden ending" to describe an event that concludes abruptly and unexpectedly. For example, "The project came to a sudden ending due to unforeseen budget cuts."

What are some alternatives to "a sudden ending"?

Some alternatives include "an abrupt conclusion", "an unexpected termination", or "a precipitous finish", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "a sudden ending" too informal for academic writing?

While "a sudden ending" isn't strictly informal, more formal phrases like "an abrupt termination" or "a premature conclusion" might be preferred in academic contexts to maintain a higher degree of formality.

What's the difference between "a sudden ending" and "a surprising ending"?

"A sudden ending" emphasizes the abruptness of the conclusion, while "a surprising ending" focuses on the unexpected nature of the conclusion's content. A surprising ending might still be drawn out, whereas a sudden ending is inherently abrupt.