suddenness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suddenness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the quality or state of being sudden, often in contexts discussing events or changes that occur unexpectedly. Example: "The suddenness of the storm caught everyone off guard, leaving them unprepared for the downpour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But that sudden closeup, in which the preparations for war focus, with poignant suddenness, on a single hopeless old has-been, has indelible power.

The New Yorker

The suddenness with which Grillo has emerged and taken one in four of Italian votes may have shocked the traditional governing elite across the EU, but it shows little sign of knowing how to respond or adjusting to the message being sent by voters who have sent incumbents tumbling one after the other from Greece to Finland over the past three years.

The Guardian

Only then will the consequences of Enron's failure be clear for the firms with which it had dealings, and for the American and world financial systems as a whole.The suddenness of Enron's collapse raises the possibility of big, as yet unreported, problems inside the firm.

The Economist

But the scale and suddenness of the bad news rattled investors.

The Economist

They are part of a building boom that is quietly transforming Mexico under the noses of the quarrelling politicians.The size and suddenness of the developments at Tecámac is startling.

The Economist

Doctors are also concerned about the legal framework of consortia and the possibility of financial failures.The suddenness of the changes, and fears about the accountability of the new organisations, disturb even some who are broadly supportive.

The Economist

But the suddenness and scale of the link with China (and to a much lesser extent India) are new.The first, and still the biggest, impact is indirect.

The Economist

If regulators approve America's are sure to scrutinise the IBM deal carefully, since its government agencies buy those servers both deals should close by the end of the year.The size and suddenness of these purchases, and concerns about them turning sour, upset even loyal investors.

The Economist

"Our generation is saying: 'I choose to be Muslim, this is how I make sense of the madness.' "The suddenness of this cultural embrace shows.

The Economist

He will leave detractors as well as admirers in Washington, after bruising clashes with the Pentagon and other agencies, notably in 2009 when he pushed for a much smaller number of American troops in Afghanistan than military chiefs had requested.The appointments of Ms Rice and Ms Power were long-trailed, but were announced with unexpected suddenness.

The Economist

Like his mentor, Warren Christopher, another thoughtful sort, he will leave detractors as well as admirers in Washington, after clashes with the Pentagon and other agencies; in 2009 he pushed for a much smaller number of American troops in Afghanistan than the generals wanted.The appointments of Ms Rice and Ms Power were long-trailed, but were announced with unexpected suddenness.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suddenness" to emphasize the unexpected and immediate nature of an event or change. This highlights the impact and lack of preparation it entails.

Common error

Avoid using "suddenness" in phrases where the sudden nature is already implied, such as "sudden surprise". Opt for a more concise expression like "surprise" to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "suddenness" is that of a noun. It typically refers to the quality or state of being sudden. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suddenness" functions as a noun to describe the quality of being sudden, emphasizing the unexpected and immediate nature of an occurrence. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While interchangeable with words like "abruptness" or "rapidity", it's important to avoid redundancy by not using it when the sudden nature is already implied. By understanding its grammatical function and usage, you can effectively convey the impact and lack of anticipation associated with events described as having "suddenness".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abruptness

Focuses on the sharpness and unexpected nature of the event.

immediacy

Highlights the lack of delay and the directness of the impact.

precipitance

Emphasizes the hastiness and lack of preparation involved.

unexpectedness

Stresses the surprise and lack of anticipation.

rapidity

Highlights the quick pace and swiftness of the event.

swiftness

Emphasizes the speed and celerity with which something occurs.

promptness

Focuses on the lack of delay and the immediate action.

expeditiousness

Highlights efficiency and quick progress.

instantaneousness

Emphasizes that something happens at one instant in time.

unforeseen nature

Highlights the unpredictable and unanticipated quality of an event.

FAQs

How is "suddenness" used in a sentence?

The word "suddenness" typically functions as a noun. For example, "The "suddenness" of the storm caught everyone off guard" or "He was shocked by the "suddenness" of her departure".

What words are similar to "suddenness"?

Alternatives to "suddenness" include "abruptness", "immediacy", or "rapidity", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the suddenness of the event"?

Yes, "the "suddenness" of the event" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to emphasize the unexpected nature of the event.

When should I use "suddenness" instead of "suddenly"?

"Suddenness" is a noun and refers to the state or quality of being sudden. "Suddenly" is an adverb and describes how an action occurs. For example, "The "suddenness" of the change was alarming" (noun) versus "The lights went out "suddenly"" (adverb).