a sudden work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sudden work" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you are referring to a piece of work or task that was unexpectedly assigned or required. Example: "The team was surprised by a sudden work that needed to be completed by the end of the day."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But we have a duty to our fans and teams, and we cannot go into the regular season with the threat of a sudden work stoppage by our game officials.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Well, all of a sudden, working hard isn't so hard anymore.

Huffington Post

A strike is not a certainty, but judging by the sudden work ethic gripping Hollywood, everyone's taking the possibility seriously.

Forbes

"I don't want my learning curve to be stunted by just all of a sudden doing work all the time and not being careful about the work that I'm doing," he said.

The New York Times

They can always say, 'We're waiting for him to develop.' All of a sudden, we work in a league that doesn't value performance as much as it values potential.

The New York Times - Sports

Reach Out relied for its impact on his extraordinary tussle with the lyrics, driving them foreward with that resonant "hup and holler" - the sudden "work shout" - rare for the white pop charts of the 60s, but familiar to black record buyers raised on churchgoing and gospel, and hence soul music's mix of the sacred and profane.

The Guardian - Music

And of course, the App doesn't all of a sudden stop working once Oktoberfest ends on the 4th.

TechCrunch

So all the cutest guys in high school, all of a sudden, were working at Toys R UsUs -- not surprisingly, he was hiring the cutest ones, and so those were all his friends.

Huffington Post

One little change in guidance and all of a sudden all that work you did, out the window.

The New York Times

Metcalf said there was a danger that a sudden deluge for work permits for nurses could crowd out skilled migrants from other occupations such as engineers.

The Guardian

But all of a sudden, we're working under another cloud".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to tasks or projects, consider more common and specific alternatives like "unexpected task", "surprise project", or "rushed assignment" for clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a sudden work" in formal contexts. While grammatically acceptable, it can sound awkward or unnatural to native English speakers. Opt for more conventional expressions to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sudden work" functions as a noun phrase, where "sudden" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "work". It refers to a piece of work or a task that arises unexpectedly. Although understandable, Ludwig indicates that this phrasing is not common.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sudden work" is a grammatically acceptable phrase that describes work that arises unexpectedly. However, it is not a common expression. Ludwig suggests using alternatives like "an unexpected task" or "a sudden assignment" for greater clarity and naturalness. The phrase's register is neutral, but its infrequent use makes it less suitable for formal or professional contexts. While you might encounter it, prioritize more conventional alternatives for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unexpected job

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the job itself, rather than the work involved.

an unforeseen job

Highlights that the job was not anticipated or planned for.

an abrupt task

Highlights the suddenness with which a task is assigned or needs to be completed.

a rushed assignment

Emphasizes the urgency and speed associated with the work.

a last-minute project

Indicates that the work was initiated or required very close to a deadline.

an impromptu project

Highlights that the job was not prepared and spontaneous

an immediate task

Stresses the urgency and the need for instant action.

a surprise project

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the task.

an emergent task

Emphasizes that task came up suddenly.

a quick task

Highlights that the work can be done quickly.

FAQs

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

While grammatically correct, "a sudden work" is not a common phrase. You might say, "The team was surprised by a sudden work that needed to be completed by the end of the day." However, alternatives like "an unexpected task" or "a sudden assignment" are usually clearer and more natural.

What are some alternatives to "a sudden work"?

You can use phrases such as "an unexpected task", "a surprise project", or "a rushed assignment", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "a sudden work" grammatically incorrect?

No, the phrase "a sudden work" is not strictly grammatically incorrect, but it's an uncommon phrasing and may sound awkward. It's generally better to use more common and idiomatic alternatives.

What's the difference between "a sudden work" and "an unexpected task"?

While both phrases refer to work that was not anticipated, "an unexpected task" is the more conventional and natural way to express the idea. "A sudden work" might be understood, but it's not the typical phrasing.