a sudden onset

USAGE SUMMARY

"a sudden onset" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a sudden or unexpected appearance or occurrence of something. Example sentence: "The patient experienced a sudden onset of chest pain and was rushed to the hospital."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Influenza is more likely to have a sudden onset.

The New York Times

She listened to my heart and was quick to spot a sudden onset heart murmur.

The Guardian

Then a sudden onset of serious mental illness last June cast a dark shadow over Billy's prospects.

The Guardian

The newly emerging illness is characterized by a sudden onset of high fever, a dry cough and difficulty breathing.

The New York Times

Eating a peanut, for example, can trigger a sudden onset of wheezing.

Independent

The illness usually begins with a sudden onset of fever, vomiting, and severe sore throat.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yellow fever appears with a sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, backache, nausea, and vomiting.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Women are much more likely to have hot flushes when they have a sudden onset of menopause.

The New York Times

There's a well-documented phenomenon called an impending sense of doom, often experienced as part of a quick demise or a sudden onset of fatal illness.

The Guardian

His ubiquity sometimes causes journalists to be afflicted by Zandi syndrome — a sudden onset of fear that we are quoting him too much.

The New York Times

The first is that the coal industry has had a sudden onset of benevolence, altruism and empathy for the world's poor.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical or scientific writing, "a sudden onset" can be useful for highlighting the quick emergence of a phenomenon. For example, "The experiment revealed a sudden onset of crowd turbulence."

Common error

Avoid using "a sudden onset" to describe gradual or progressive changes. Instead, reserve it for situations where the beginning is truly abrupt and unexpected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sudden onset" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig's examples confirm its use in describing the beginning of events or conditions, particularly in medical and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sudden onset" is a widely used phrase that effectively communicates the rapid and unexpected beginning of an event or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly found in medical, scientific, and news contexts. While alternatives exist, "a sudden onset" remains a clear and concise way to describe an abrupt beginning. It's important to reserve this phrase for situations where the start is truly sudden, avoiding its misuse in describing gradual processes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an abrupt beginning

Focuses on the quick and unexpected start, rather than the nature of what's beginning.

a rapid commencement

Emphasizes the speed at which something starts, using a more formal term.

an instantaneous start

Highlights the immediate nature of the beginning, suggesting virtually no delay.

a precipitous initiation

Indicates a very sudden and possibly unexpected start, often implying a lack of preparation.

a swift emergence

Suggests something quickly coming into view or becoming apparent.

a quick eruption

Implies a sudden and forceful beginning, often associated with outbreaks or displays of emotion.

a lightning-fast kickoff

Uses an informal term to describe a very rapid and energetic start.

a flash appearance

Emphasizes the brevity and suddenness of something becoming visible.

a burst of activity

Highlights a sudden increase in activity or energy.

a flip start

Suggests something beginning or occuring very fast.

FAQs

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

You can use "a sudden onset" to describe the quick and unexpected beginning of something, such as a symptom or event. For example: "The illness was characterized by "a sudden onset" of fever."

What are some alternatives to "a sudden onset"?

Alternatives include "an abrupt beginning", "a rapid commencement", or "an instantaneous start", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "sudden onset" without the article "a"?

While "sudden onset" might be understood, it's grammatically preferable to use the article "a" before "sudden onset" when referring to a single instance or occurrence, such as ""a sudden onset" of symptoms".

What's the difference between "a sudden onset" and "a gradual onset"?

"A sudden onset" refers to something beginning quickly and unexpectedly, whereas a gradual onset indicates a slower, more progressive start.