an abrupt start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an abrupt start" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden or unexpected beginning to an event, story, or process. Example: "The movie had an abrupt start that caught the audience off guard, plunging them straight into the action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In Denver, Dr. Tom Langston, a pediatric emergency medicine fellow at Children's Hospital, said the number of patients with influenza or parents concerned that their children might have it had remained steady after an abrupt start.

The New York Times

The result is an abrupt start to a good conversation, post-Crunchies.

TechCrunch

Needless to say, we managed to do just that and, naturally, to Dave Butz's Krieghoff, damaging it badly as it hurtled off the back of a golf cart after an abrupt start.

Forbes

Taylor-Johnson's "Fifty Shades" ride had an abrupt start.

Los Angeles Times

After an abrupt start, it goes amiable, yet it's a planned diversion by using firecrackers as Jesus steals the truck.

Huffington Post

These were: an abrupt start and abrupt decay (impulse); an abrupt start and gradual decay; an abrupt start and permanent effect (step); and a gradual start and permanent effect.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The word "squeeze" was used repeatedly to describe scheduling efforts, starting with the morning alarm and an abrupt commencement of the day's first workout.

Huffington Post

For instance, a robot-controlled paintbrush could be mapped to SIRE: a slow versus fast stroke rate, a gradual versus abrupt start, a jagged versus straight stroke, and a small versus large diameter.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Six to seven patients are seen at each course and a synchronous and abrupt start of the detoxification period is set.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Not only did it increase the total data collection time, but also the frequent abrupt start and stop motion was also unfavorable for the mechanics of the HPXMT apparatus, especially when the system was under high load.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

"I think it is likely that the abrupt start to the Little Ice Age in the late 13th century is volcanic in origin," says climate scientist Gavin Schmidt of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York City, who was not involved in the new work published today in Geophysical Research Letters.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an abrupt start" to create a sense of immediacy and draw the reader's attention quickly. It's especially effective when describing unexpected events or changes.

Common error

While "abrupt" and "unexpected" share semantic overlap, avoid using "an unexpected start" when you specifically want to emphasize the suddenness and sometimes jarring nature of the beginning, rather than merely its surprise element.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an abrupt start" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the characteristic of a beginning, emphasizing its sudden and often unexpected nature, which is considered correct by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an abrupt start" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a sudden and often unexpected beginning. Ludwig AI validates this usage, highlighting its frequency in contexts like News & Media and Science. While "an abrupt start" is appropriate for many situations, remember to consider its emphasis on suddenness when choosing between it and alternatives like "a sudden start" or "a quick start". Use this phrase to create impact and draw attention to the immediacy of an event. Be mindful of the context, as overly formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "a precipitous commencement".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sudden beginning

Replaces 'abrupt' with 'sudden', focusing on the quickness of the start.

a precipitous commencement

Uses more formal vocabulary to emphasize the suddenness and formality of the start.

a headlong initiation

Implies a rushed and perhaps uncontrolled start.

an instantaneous launch

Highlights the immediacy and speed of the start.

a hasty kickoff

Suggests a rushed or unplanned beginning.

an unceremonious opening

Emphasizes the lack of formality or preparation at the start.

a surprise inception

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the start.

a jarring onset

Highlights the disruptive or unsettling nature of the beginning.

a quick launch

Emphasizes the speed of the start.

an immediate take-off

Suggests a rapid and perhaps unplanned departure or beginning.

FAQs

How can I use "an abrupt start" in a sentence?

You can use "an abrupt start" to describe the beginning of an event, process, or story. For example, "The movie had an abrupt start, immediately plunging the audience into chaos." or "The project suffered an abrupt start due to unforeseen circumstances.".

What's a more formal alternative to "an abrupt start"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "a precipitous commencement" or "an unceremonious opening". These options add a level of sophistication and formality to your writing.

When is it appropriate to use "an abrupt start"?

"An abrupt start" is best used when you want to emphasize the sudden, and sometimes unsettling, nature of a beginning. It is suitable when describing unexpected changes, sudden events, or anything that begins without warning.

What is the difference between "an abrupt start" and "a sudden start"?

While both phrases describe a quick beginning, "an abrupt start" suggests a more jarring or unexpected quality. "A sudden start" simply indicates speed, whereas "an abrupt start" implies a more disruptive or noticeable change.