sudden laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sudden laughter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unexpected or abrupt burst of laughter in various contexts, such as storytelling or character descriptions. Example: "The room fell silent, only to be interrupted by sudden laughter from the back, catching everyone off guard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The wisecracks and decisions and sudden laughter were over for the day, and in another building the presses were turning out the next day's paper.

The New Yorker

There's a lot of strange, sudden laughter, and the dialogue is full of non sequiturs and talk conducted at cross-purposes.

The New Yorker

Mary is highly strung, prone to "foolish questions, sudden laughter and strange tears", and John had on occasion prescribed laudanum to help her sleep.

The Guardian - Books

He explained that, officially, it was known as a "vino apparatus" - no translation needed - but then said something else, which nearly caused my friend, with sudden laughter, to spit out her mouthful of wine.

The Guardian - Travel

The wisecracks and decisions and sudden laughter were over for the day, and in another building the presses were turning out the next day's paper... View Article By Rivka Galchen By Jia Tolentino By Ceridwen Dovey By Malcolm Gladwell.

The New Yorker

The wisecracks and decisions and sudden laughter were over for the day, and in another building the presses were turning out the next day's paper... View Article By Phil Klay By Troy Patterson By Alan Burdick By John Cassidy.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

She's prone to "stormy moods," as well as "sudden, deep laughter," and she harbors a sense of compassion, even for strangers.

The New York Times - Books

Maureen Lipman recalled Bellingham's "sudden honking laughter, her craziness, her rich, throaty and slightly metallic voice, her high campery and her beautiful brown eyes".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A sparkling man, still drawling in his native Texas accent, given to sudden, uproarious laughter and surprising citations from the philosophers he studied at Yale, Busby has seen a lot and remembers it all.

The New Yorker

Every god has asked the same, crouched at a sideboard, just in case sudden little laughter shakes a heaven like an empty house where not a plate nor day will break.

The Guardian - Books

The author of some fourteen books, including, with Ivan Illich, ABC: The Alphabetization of the Written Word, A is for Ox: Violence, Electrronic Media and the Silencing of the Written Word, Sudden Glory: Laughter as Subversice History, and most recently, with Francis Adams, Alienable Rights: The Exclusion of African Americans in a White Man's Land:1619-2000,2004rper Collins,2004).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sudden laughter" to effectively depict an unexpected emotional response, particularly in narrative contexts where you want to emphasize surprise or spontaneity.

Common error

Avoid using "sudden laughter" in highly formal or academic writing where a more nuanced or descriptive term might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "unexpected amusement" or "spontaneous joy" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sudden laughter" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It describes a specific type of laughter, highlighting its unexpected nature. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. The adjective "sudden" modifies the noun "laughter", creating a vivid image.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sudden laughter" is a grammatically sound and neutrally registered noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's primarily used in news and media to depict unexpected or spontaneous amusement. While the phrase is valid, remember to consider the context and audience when choosing it. For more formal contexts, you might prefer alternatives like "unexpected amusement" or "spontaneous joy". Use this guide to ensure you use "sudden laughter" appropriately and effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpected burst of laughter

Replaces "sudden" with "unexpected", emphasizing the surprise element of the laughter.

abrupt outbreak of laughter

Substitutes "sudden" with "abrupt" and "laughter" with "outbreak", highlighting the quick and sometimes startling nature of the laughter.

spontaneous giggling

Focuses on a lighter, more playful form of laughter that arises without premeditation.

unforeseen hilarity

Emphasizes the unpredictability and amusement of the situation causing the laughter.

startling guffaw

Indicates a loud, unrestrained burst of laughter that is unexpected and possibly disruptive.

impromptu chuckling

Suggests a quiet, amused response that arises spontaneously.

unprompted merriment

Highlights joy and amusement that occurs without any external cause or cue.

instantaneous amusement

Focuses on the immediate onset of amusement leading to laughter.

explosive mirth

Implies a sudden and intense expression of joy and laughter.

unheralded roar of laughter

Indicates a loud and boisterous burst of laughter that comes without warning.

FAQs

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

You can use "sudden laughter" to describe an unexpected burst of amusement, like in the sentence, "The tense silence was broken by "sudden laughter" from the audience".

What are some alternatives to "sudden laughter"?

Alternatives include "unexpected laughter", "abrupt laughter", or "spontaneous laughter", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "sudden laughter"?

Yes, "sudden laughter" is grammatically correct. "Sudden" is an adjective modifying the noun "laughter", forming a noun phrase.

What does "sudden laughter" typically imply?

"Sudden laughter" usually implies an unexpected or impulsive reaction to something humorous or surprising. It suggests spontaneity and a lack of premeditation.