all the sudden

USAGE SUMMARY

The correct phrase is "all of a sudden." You can use this phrase to refer to a sudden and unexpected occurrence.
For example: "All of a sudden, the lights began to flicker uncontrollably."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In science, if all the sudden "black" really does become "white", theories must be adjusted.

The Guardian

Your post baby body is not all the sudden free for public commentary".

Independent

Half of all the sudden deaths from the first heart attack showed the victims had normal levels of cholesterol.

Harvard University

"We don't need the great game, and then all the sudden it's a clunker the next week.

The New York Times - Sports

Miranda Weese showed that she had mastered all the sudden tilts and shifts of direction in her pas de deux with Mr. Soto.

The New York Times

Then all the sudden you're hawking every tattoo t-shirt out there.

Forbes

Then all the sudden, we're 100 people, and it felt like we were 100 people doing the work of 50 people.

Forbes

"A lot of people who lost a vehicle all the sudden can't get to work, can't afford to get a new car.

BBC

"Imagine if all the sudden nobody was able to climb Mt. Everest ever again".

Vice

'Imagine if all the sudden nobody was able to climb Mt. Everest ever again.'.

Vice

Then all the sudden, you've got a violation on your hands just because people are expressing themselves".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct phrase "all of a sudden" to ensure grammatical accuracy and credibility in your writing.

Common error

Avoid omitting the "of" in "all of a sudden". While "all the sudden" is a common mistake, it's grammatically incorrect and can detract from the clarity and professionalism of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all the sudden" functions as an adverbial phrase, attempting to modify a verb and indicate a sudden or unexpected occurrence. However, this is a grammatically incorrect usage, as highlighted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

20%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "all the sudden" appears frequently across various sources, especially in News & Media and Academia, it's crucial to recognize that it is a grammatically incorrect form of "all of a sudden". As Ludwig AI confirms, the correct phrase includes the preposition "of". Therefore, to maintain clarity and credibility in your writing, always use "all of a sudden" or consider alternatives like "suddenly" or "unexpectedly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suddenly

A single-word adverb replacing the multi-word phrase for brevity.

unexpectedly

Focuses on the lack of anticipation rather than the speed of the event.

all at once

Emphasizes simultaneity and the lack of warning.

out of the blue

Highlights the complete lack of predictability.

in an instant

Conveys the speed and immediacy of the occurrence.

without warning

Focuses on the absence of any preceding indication.

in a flash

Emphasizes the rapidity and brevity of the event.

on the spur of the moment

Highlights the lack of planning or forethought.

forthwith

A more formal and archaic term for immediate action.

immediately

Similar to 'suddenly' but can also imply a direct reaction to a stimulus.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "all the sudden"?

The correct phrase is "all of a sudden", with the preposition "of" included.

Is "all the sudden" grammatically correct?

No, "all the sudden" is grammatically incorrect. The correct and accepted form is "all of a sudden".

What can I say instead of "all the sudden"?

You should use the correct phrase "all of a sudden". If you're looking for alternatives, consider using "suddenly", "unexpectedly", or "out of the blue", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "all the sudden" and "all of a sudden"?

"All the sudden" is a misspelling. "All of a sudden" is the correct and widely accepted idiom to describe something happening quickly and unexpectedly.