suddenly after that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suddenly after that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something unexpected or abrupt occurred following a previous event or action. Example: "We were having a quiet evening, and suddenly after that, the power went out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

They saw off the first cars, a small fleet of electric "Hummingbird" cabs, at the turn of the 20th century, but succumbed suddenly after that.

The Guardian - Tech

Then suddenly — after that first walk into town, when she wrapped herself in Turkish silks and admired herself in the fabric-shop mirror with the whole village staring in at her from the snow, after her belly had fully swollen, after it was clear that Luka wasn't coming back — she was referred to as "the tiger's wife".

The New Yorker

"It made a massive difference to me - a player going from one who was not assured of a starting place in the England team to suddenly, after that World Cup, being known by everybody wherever I went".

BBC

We regret the error.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The colic can reach a height after the six week mark, and can taper off or suddenly end after that.

WikiHow

"Suddenly after 9/11, that changed," she said.

The New York Times

"You can have the top horse in the country and he can take one misstep out there and suddenly after all that work you have nothing," he said.

The New York Times

And, suddenly, after all that hope and yes-we-can, things look a bit hopeless and maybe-we-can't: can't avoid economic meltdown, can't shut down Guantánamo, can't ensure the future of the planet, and so on.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"But he cannot tell us that the standard we are applying is inappropriate or suddenly, after 14 years, that it has become inappropriate".

The New York Times

And after spending a couple of days in Copenhagen, and seeing what a groovy sort of place it was, suddenly I was lusting after that sense of grooviness for Glasgow".

The New Yorker

This process has made me suddenly realize that, after years of public school education, I soon will be paying to learn.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suddenly after that" to clearly indicate an unexpected event that immediately follows a specific prior occurrence. This phrasing is most effective when emphasizing the element of surprise in the sequence of events.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "suddenly after that" can sound less sophisticated in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "immediately thereafter" or "unexpectedly following that" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suddenly after that" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing and manner of an event. It specifies that something occurred unexpectedly and shortly after a preceding event. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is indeed correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "suddenly after that" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe an unexpected event that occurs shortly after a previous one. Ludwig AI confirms it is valid. While relatively rare, as seen in the limited examples, it effectively conveys surprise and immediacy. The phrase appears most frequently in news, wiki, and scientific contexts and its usage leans toward informal, though it's acceptable in neutral registers. For more formal writing, alternatives like "immediately thereafter" may be more appropriate. Be mindful of the intended tone when choosing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abruptly following that

Replaces "suddenly" with "abruptly", emphasizing the unexpected and immediate nature of the change after the initial event.

unexpectedly following that

Replaces "suddenly" with "unexpectedly", focusing on the surprise element.

immediately thereafter

Uses a more formal term "thereafter" to indicate 'after that', and "immediately" to replace 'suddenly'.

soon thereafter

Similar to 'immediately thereafter', but implies a short duration between the events.

without warning after that

Focuses on the lack of any preceding indication of the event.

all of a sudden after that

Adds emphasis to the suddenness of the event, making it more emphatic.

promptly after that

Suggests that the second event happened without delay.

out of the blue after that

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the unexpected nature of the event.

in a flash after that

Implies an extremely quick transition after the initial event.

in short order after that

Suggests the quick or efficient nature of the following event.

FAQs

How can I use "suddenly after that" in a sentence?

Use "suddenly after that" to describe an unexpected event that happens shortly after something else. For example, "The meeting ended, and "suddenly after that", the fire alarm went off."

What are some alternatives to using "suddenly after that"?

You can use alternatives like "immediately thereafter", "soon afterward", or "unexpectedly following that" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "suddenly after that"?

Yes, "suddenly after that" is grammatically correct, though it may sound somewhat informal depending on the context. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

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

"Immediately after that" simply indicates a short time frame between two events. "Suddenly after that" adds the element of surprise or unexpectedness.