sudden invitation

USAGE SUMMARY

"sudden invitation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a sudden request or offer of an invitation often out of the blue. Example: I was surprised when I got a sudden invitation to join my friends for dinner.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Twenty minutes into their conversation, Mr. Pretnar turned the tables on Ms. Paull, jolting her with a sudden invitation of his own.

The New York Times

Syria rarely grants visas to Western reporters, and a sudden invitation into the country seemed intended both to highlight the news conference and to address demands from the Arab League that more international correspondents be given entry.

The New York Times

His anxieties overcame him when Herbert von Karajan of the Berlin Philharmonic called with a sudden invitation to play Brahms's Second Piano Concerto, one of Mr. Lythgoe's signature pieces.

The New York Times - Arts

British reaction to the news that the summit meeting is off...the feeling has been all along that while the Russians never truly wanted such a meeting, in spite of the sudden invitation, Mr. Dulles and the American wanted it even less, and that if the thing showed signs of coming off, it would be largely owing to British insistence.

The New Yorker

Throughout the day, in public and behind the scenes, the administration mounted a fierce campaign to portray Iraq's sudden invitation to inspectors -- who have been banned by Iraq for three and a half years -- as a predictable and dangerous delaying tactic, devised by Mr. Hussein in an effort to split the United Nations Security Council.

The New York Times

The New Yorker, August 16 , 1958P. 83 British reaction to the news that the summit meeting is off...the feeling has been all along that while the Russians never truly wanted such a meeting, in spite of the sudden invitation, Mr. Dulles and the American wanted it even less, and that if the thing showed signs of coming off, it would be largely owing to British insistence.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

There's a danger, a real one, that a sudden, dramatic invitation to more refugees could result in many more thousands of people risking their lives coming to Europe". But I expect in the coming days the prime minister will promise more action.

BBC

They wait for someone to bring up co-sleeping, so that they can either decry it as a deadly invitation for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or scream that you don't love your kid if you make it sleep in a cot.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Trump essentially punked Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto with his his sudden acceptance of the president's de rigueur invitation of the two major party nominees to visit Mexico City.

Huffington Post

Following inclusion of the FAQ page with study invitations, the proportion of deaths identified as sudden by bereaved family members increased.

BMC Palliative Care

And more direct than a sudden declaration that I'd be declining all bungee-jumping invitations for the next nine months.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sudden invitation," consider the recipient's perspective. Make sure it's clear whether the suddenness adds excitement or potential inconvenience.

Common error

Avoid using "sudden invitation" when describing planned events or formal gatherings. It's better suited for casual and unexpected scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sudden invitation" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "sudden" modifies the noun "invitation". As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes an invitation that is unexpected or occurs quickly. This phrase is commonly used to express surprise or spontaneity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sudden invitation" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes an unexpected or quickly arranged invitation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a sense of surprise or spontaneity. While "sudden invitation" can be used in various contexts, it's most commonly found in News & Media. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "unexpected invite" or "spur-of-the-moment invitation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to use it appropriately, avoiding overuse in highly formal contexts where more polished language might be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpected invite

Replaces "invitation" with "invite" and "sudden" with "unexpected", emphasizing the surprise element.

spur-of-the-moment invitation

Uses "spur-of-the-moment" to highlight the unplanned nature of the invitation.

impromptu invitation

"Impromptu" suggests an invitation given without prior planning.

unforeseen invitation

"Unforeseen" emphasizes the lack of anticipation of the invitation.

surprise invite

Combines the element of surprise with a shortened form of "invitation".

last-minute invitation

Focuses on the timing of the invitation, highlighting its immediacy.

unheralded invitation

"Unheralded" suggests the invitation came without any prior announcement.

precipitous invitation

"Precipitous" indicates that the invitation came swiftly and unexpectedly.

abrupt summons

Uses "summons" instead of invitation, emphasizing the commanding aspect and implying urgency.

uncharacteristic invitation

Indicates the invitation is out of character or unusual for the inviter.

FAQs

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

You can use "sudden invitation" to describe an unexpected offer or request. For example, "I was surprised by the sudden invitation to the party." or "Despite the sudden invitation, she decided to attend."

What can I say instead of "sudden invitation"?

Alternatives to "sudden invitation" include "unexpected invite", "spur-of-the-moment invitation", or "impromptu invitation", depending on the context.

Is "sudden invitation" formal or informal?

"Sudden invitation" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in less formal situations. For highly formal settings, consider alternatives that sound more polished.

What's the difference between "sudden invitation" and "surprise invitation"?

While both phrases imply unexpectedness, "sudden invitation" emphasizes the timing (happening quickly), whereas "surprise invitation" highlights the element of being unexpected or unanticipated.