suddenly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "suddenly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a sudden change or interruption. For example: "Suddenly, the power went out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He died suddenly in 2006 in unclear circumstances.

The Guardian

Suddenly, you're on your own.

The New York Times

Depression is like that – it's never just suddenly over.

The Guardian - Sport

I suddenly found myself playing against the Villa first-teamers.

The Guardian - Sport

The youngest of five children, Musharaf says he developed a stammer very suddenly when he was five.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I'm not going to get into attacking individual candidates … but I do think we should be setting out Labour ideas for the future and not just saying suddenly the Tories are right about a whole series of things," she said.

The Guardian

"Suddenly, you can do things to get a clue about what might account for the result," he says.

The Guardian

Out of my depth, and committed to a professional political engagement I no longer believe in, I suddenly have every sympathy for David Cameron.

The Guardian - Opinion

They argued that, because loyalist paramilitaries had no representation in the Stormont parliament or that because socioeconomic or educational attainment was low in poor Protestant areas around eastern Belfast, these communities suddenly erupted in anger.

The Guardian

After the final whistle the odd supporter used social media to allege that Carver – whose suddenly relegation-threatened side are now only five points above the bottom three and visit renascent Leicester on Saturday – had sworn at his detractors, before issuing an invitation "outside" for a fight.

The Guardian - Sport

I was angry because I knew that I was too young to confront the nihilistic truth that Christmas was suddenly devoid of meaning or purpose.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suddenly", ensure the context clearly establishes what was happening before the sudden event. This contrast enhances the impact of the adverb.

Common error

Avoid using "suddenly" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive and diminish its impact. Vary your language with alternatives like "abruptly" or "unexpectedly" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "suddenly" is as an adverb of manner. It modifies a verb, verb phrase, or clause, indicating how something happens. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates something happening quickly and unexpectedly, adding emphasis to the abruptness of the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Sport

20%

Opinion

16%

Less common in

Lifestyle

12%

Arts

8%

Tech

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suddenly" functions as an adverb of manner to denote an action or event occurring quickly and unexpectedly. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, Sport, and Opinion contexts, "suddenly" effectively creates a sense of immediacy. While grammatically sound, overuse can diminish its impact, making alternative adverbs like "abruptly" or "unexpectedly" useful for varied writing. Mastering the use of "suddenly" involves leveraging its power to punctuate unexpected shifts in narrative, all while ensuring it is used judiciously to maintain its effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all of a sudden

This alternative emphasizes the unexpected nature of the event.

without warning

Focuses on the lack of prior indication.

out of the blue

Highlights the unexpected and surprising nature.

in an instant

Emphasizes the very short time frame.

at once

Conveys immediacy and simultaneity.

in a flash

Highlights the speed of the event.

abruptly

Focuses on the sudden and often unwelcome nature.

unexpectedly

Highlights the lack of anticipation.

in a heartbeat

Emphasizes how quickly something happened.

unforeseen

Emphasizes the unpredictable and unanticipated nature of the occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "suddenly" in a sentence?

"Suddenly" is typically used at the beginning of a sentence or clause to indicate that something happened quickly and unexpectedly. For example, "Suddenly it started to rain".

What are some alternatives to "suddenly"?

Alternatives to "suddenly" include "abruptly", "unexpectedly", "all of a sudden", or "without warning". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "suddenly"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and stylistically acceptable to start a sentence with "suddenly". It's a common way to emphasize the unexpected nature of an event.

What's the difference between "suddenly" and "immediately"?

"Suddenly" implies something happened quickly and unexpectedly, while "immediately" simply means something happened without delay. Something can happen immediately without being a surprise, but "suddenly" always carries an element of surprise.