abruptly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'abruptly' is correct and usable in written English
You can use it when you want to express an abrupt end or an unexpected event. Example sentence: Without warning, the power suddenly went out abruptly.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Smyth, who may or may not have just abruptly quit Madness (of which more later), has just finished recording his debut solo album, A Comfortable Man, a forensic account of the death of his 28-year relationship with his wife.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I really thought that, once I’d left, I wasn’t gonnae take it any further.’ Then, abruptly, Carlyle brightens.

The Guardian - Film

From a very young age, I was aware of how short life is and how abruptly it can end.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But that stillness ends abruptly at the Atlantic Ocean, where there is drama in spades.

The Guardian - Travel

George Clooney's much-hyped second world war thriller The Monuments Men has surprised Hollywood by abruptly cancelling its planned pre-Christmas release and moving it to an as-yet-unspecified date in the first quarter of 2014.

The Guardian - Film

Irish, whose director of rugby, Brian Smith, left abruptly in January, were happy to scrape home after seeing two other players yellow-carded.

The Guardian - Sport

During the wet summer of 2012, Betty's signal abruptly ceased on the Yorkshire Dales.

The Guardian

I found myself floundering when I tried to answer these, either overcomplicating matters or abruptly changing the subject ("Oh look – a squirrel!").

The Guardian - Books

The director of rugby, Brian Smith, departed abruptly at the start of the year and until Saturday Irish had won two home games in the Premiership.

The Guardian - Sport

It may not be good for much, but Pudsey the Dog: The Movie marks the point at which Cowell's hegemony over all things mass-media abruptly halts; past this beetling shoreline, it's darkness, chaos and dragons.

The Guardian - Film

In 2013, the Day of the Horse celebrations ended abruptly when Berdymukhamedov toppled off his steed seconds after winning a race and was immediately surrounded by black-clad security guards.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abruptly" to emphasize the unexpected and sudden nature of an action or change, making sure the context supports this sense of immediacy.

Common error

While "abruptly" is versatile, avoid overusing it in formal contexts where a more nuanced term like "suddenly" or "unexpectedly" might be more appropriate to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "abruptly" functions primarily to modify verbs, indicating that an action occurred in a sudden, unexpected, or even rude manner. This is supported by Ludwig, as it highlights instances where "abruptly" modifies actions within news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Film

8%

Sport

6%

Less common in

Business

4%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "abruptly" is a versatile term used to denote actions or changes that occur suddenly and unexpectedly. As highlighted by Ludwig, it frequently appears in news and media contexts, emphasizing its role in reporting sudden events. While grammatically correct and widely used, writers should consider the nuance of "abruptly", as it may carry a sense of rudeness or lack of preparation. Alternatives like "suddenly" or "unexpectedly" may be more suitable in certain formal contexts. The frequency of "abruptly" across various sources confirms its common usage in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suddenly

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of an event.

unexpectedly

Highlights the lack of anticipation.

all of a sudden

Informal way to denote a quick, unpredicted change.

in a flash

Conveys the speed and immediacy of an action.

without warning

Stresses the lack of prior indication.

out of the blue

Idiomatic expression for something totally unpredicted.

instantaneously

Highlights the immediate nature of an action.

precipitously

Implies a sudden and steep change, often negative.

unceremoniously

Focuses on the lack of formality or grace.

point-blank

Direct and without hesitation, often in speech.

FAQs

How can I use "abruptly" in a sentence?

"Abruptly" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate a sudden or unexpected manner. For example, "The meeting ended "abruptly" when the fire alarm rang."

What words are similar to "abruptly"?

Synonyms for "abruptly" include "suddenly", "unexpectedly", and "all of a sudden", each carrying slightly different nuances of suddenness.

Is it correct to use "abruptly" in formal writing?

Yes, "abruptly" is grammatically correct and can be used in formal writing, but consider the tone. In some cases, a more formal alternative like "unexpectedly" may be preferable.

What is the difference between "abruptly" and "suddenly"?

While both indicate quickness, "abruptly" often implies a sense of rudeness or unexpectedness that "suddenly" does not always carry. "Suddenly" simply means quickly and unexpectedly, while "abruptly" can also suggest a lack of smoothness or grace.