sudden popularity

USAGE SUMMARY

"sudden popularity" is correct and usable in written English.
You might use it in a sentence like "The singer gained sudden popularity after performing at the awards show."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The sudden popularity of Windows has rattled the software industry.

The New York Times

He reflected on the sudden popularity of the team locally.

The New York Times - Sports

[New York Post] Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin's huge, sudden popularity has some interesting financial implications.

The New York Times

Herod's sudden popularity is somewhat strange, but it is not incomprehensible.

The New York Times

In "Bupkis," Rob confronts the sudden popularity of a song he wrote years before.

The New York Times - Arts

One reason for the change was Colonel North's sudden popularity with broad segments of the population.

The New York Times

Ms. O'Neill has said the sudden popularity is like "heaven and hell," because it increases expectations.

The New York Times - Arts

I have lived in Hastings for over 30 years and am mystified by its sudden popularity.

The New York Times

She believes the sudden popularity of the independence movement is a reaction to crisis and austerity.

The Guardian

But the sudden popularity of the grills also attracted a group of aggressive short-sellers.

The New York Times

Mr. Siegler ventured that the circle's sudden popularity might have something to do with the recession.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with specific causes (e.g., "due to a viral video" or "following a regulatory change") to provide context to the speed of the rise.

Common error

Avoid using "sudden popular" as a substitute for the noun phrase. "Popular" is an adjective and cannot serve as the subject or object without a noun. Always ensure "popularity" follows "sudden" when describing the phenomenon itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sudden popularity" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the head of a clause where it identifies a specific phenomenon of rapid social or commercial growth. As shown in Ludwig, it frequently serves as the object of a preposition (e.g., "because of its...") or the subject of a sentence (e.g., "...has rattled the industry").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Social Media

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Ludwig AI confirms that "sudden popularity" is a robust, grammatically correct, and widely used phrase in modern English. It is a favorite of esteemed publications like The New York Times and The Guardian for its ability to objectively describe the rapid rise of everything from technology and political candidates to fashion trends. Whether you are writing a formal business report or a descriptive article, this phrase provides a clear and professional way to highlight a significant shift in public interest. Its frequency in high-authority sources ensures that using it will maintain a high standard of linguistic credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sudden prominence

Suggests reaching a state of importance or being widely known rather than just liked.

overnight success

An idiomatic expression emphasizing that the rise to fame happened extremely fast.

unexpected fame

Focuses on the lack of anticipation regarding the rise in public recognition.

meteoritic rise

Uses a metaphor to describe a rise that is both incredibly fast and brilliant.

rapid surge in interest

More analytical and less personal, often used in business or sociological contexts.

abrupt rise

Emphasizes the sharp and potentially jarring nature of the change.

instant acclaim

Specifically refers to immediate positive critical reception or public praise.

unforeseen popularity

Highlights that the popularity was not predicted by experts or the public.

burst of fame

Suggests a sudden and potentially short-lived explosion of attention.

swift ascent

Focuses on the upward trajectory of a person or trend in a quick manner.

FAQs

How to use "sudden popularity" in a sentence?

You can use it as a subject or object. For example, "The app's sudden popularity caught the developers off guard," or "The band enjoyed a period of sudden popularity after their television debut."

What can I say instead of "sudden popularity"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "overnight success", "sudden prominence", or "rapid surge" in interest.

Is "sudden popularity" formal?

Yes, it is highly appropriate for formal writing. It appears frequently in academic journals and prestigious news outlets like The New Yorker and The Economist to describe sociological or market trends.

What is the difference between "sudden popularity" and a "meteoritic rise"?

While both describe speed, "meteoritic rise" is more metaphorical and often implies a spectacular or brilliant ascent, whereas "sudden popularity" is a literal and neutral description of the increase in demand or liking.