came without warning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "came without warning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or situation that occurred unexpectedly or suddenly. Example: "The storm came without warning, catching everyone off guard and leading to chaos in the streets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

His question came without warning.

The New York Times - Magazine

The decision to close the gallery came without warning.

The New York Times - Arts

There were boom and bust economic cycles, devastating epidemics and natural disasters that came without warning.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — The summons from the president came without warning the Thursday before Labor Day.

The New York Times - Science

It was not as if the hailstorm of Devils goals came without warning.

The New York Times - Sports

But this week he suggested the weekend snowstorm came without warning — words he was again forced to eat.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

And the end often comes without warning.

The New York Times - Sports

The knock on the door comes without warning.

The New York Times

"They come without warning from anywhere in the world and they can have devastating consequences".

The New York Times

If the blow comes without warning, that layer of fortification is not engaged.

The New York Times - Sports

It comes without warning, sometimes without reason, and punctuates virtually every sentence.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "came without warning" to create a sense of immediacy and surprise in your writing. This phrase is particularly effective when describing unexpected events or sudden changes.

Common error

Avoid using "came without warning" repeatedly in a short piece of writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your descriptions of sudden events with synonyms or alternative phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came without warning" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action occurred. It describes how something happened suddenly and unexpectedly. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is perfectly usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "came without warning" is a versatile and frequently used expression that highlights the unexpected nature of an event. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically sound and readily understood. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it effectively conveys a sense of immediacy and surprise. While there are numerous alternatives, such as "happened unexpectedly" or "occurred suddenly", "came without warning" maintains its distinctive impact. Be mindful of overuse to maintain writing quality. Overall, this phrase is a valuable tool for describing sudden occurrences in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

happened unexpectedly

Focuses on the lack of anticipation.

occurred suddenly

Emphasizes the quickness of the event.

arrived out of the blue

Uses a more figurative expression for unexpected arrival.

took place abruptly

Highlights the immediate nature of the occurrence.

emerged without notice

Stresses the lack of prior indication.

transpired without foresight

Emphasizes that it was not foreseeable.

unfolded unexpectedly

Highlights the surprising manner of unfolding events.

burst forth unannounced

Implies a forceful and sudden appearance.

materialized without preamble

Indicates the absence of any introductory signs.

presented itself unheralded

Suggests the event lacked any prior announcement or warning.

FAQs

How can I use "came without warning" in a sentence?

Use "came without warning" to describe an event that happened unexpectedly. For example, "The news "came without warning", shocking everyone."

What are some alternatives to "came without warning"?

You can use phrases like "happened unexpectedly", "occurred suddenly", or "arrived out of the blue" as alternatives to "came without warning".

Is it correct to say "the event came without a warning"?

While grammatically correct, "the event came without a warning" is less common and slightly less impactful than ""came without warning"". The original phrasing is more concise and idiomatic.

What is the difference between ""came without warning"" and "was unexpected"?

"Came without warning" emphasizes the suddenness and lack of prior indication, whereas "was unexpected" simply means it wasn't anticipated. The former is more descriptive and vivid.