that was sudden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was sudden" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about a sudden event or occurrence. For example: "We were just sitting around talking when the storm came out of nowhere - that was sudden."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Thousands fled to nearby mount Sinjar, but those who weren't fast enough faced a fate that was sudden and savage.

The Guardian

These circles also speak about the background of the decision made by the Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi to replace the prime minister Khaled Bahah a few months ago, in a measure that was sudden for the Saudi leadership.

Huffington Post

Again, the fact that it was not anticipated appeared to create problems: "The main thing for me was loss of sexual desire and that was sudden and caused a few problems in my relationship".

BMC Women's Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Yet he rewards them with a death that is sudden and horrible.

The New Yorker

It doesn't refer to a heart that has come to a screeching halt — that's sudden cardiac arrest.

Harvard University

In the end, death that is slow in coming has no less magnitude than death that is sudden.

The New York Times

Still, income tax deductions are available for some people who have major losses from a casualty, which the Internal Revenue Service defines as "the damage, destruction or loss of property from an identifiable event that is sudden, unexpected or unusual".

The New York Times

True, IRS tax policy discourages you from deducting relatively "small" losses due to theft or casualty, which they define as an event that's sudden, unexpected or unusual.

Forbes

Adolescents are likely to experience losses that are sudden, unexpected, and traumatic.

HuffPost

For example, resilient grievers tend to have fewer losses and have less experience with losses that are sudden, traumatic, or unexpected.

HuffPost

A casualty is the damage, destruction or loss of property resulting from an identifiable event that is sudden, unexpected or unusual.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was sudden" to describe an event or change that occurred quickly and unexpectedly, especially when emphasizing the surprise or lack of warning associated with it.

Common error

Avoid using "that was sudden" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise and descriptive language may be preferred. Consider alternatives like "the change occurred abruptly" or "the event transpired unexpectedly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was sudden" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing a reaction to an event or situation. It emphasizes the unexpected and rapid nature of the occurrence. This aligns with the usage examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was sudden" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe events characterized by their quick and unexpected nature. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage is relatively rare. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for expressing surprise or observation about abrupt changes. When aiming for more formal or academic tones, consider alternatives like "that was abrupt" or "that was unforeseen".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was abrupt

Emphasizes the sudden and unexpected nature of something, focusing on the lack of smoothness or transition.

that was unexpected

Highlights the element of surprise and lack of anticipation.

that was unforeseen

Focuses on the inability to predict the event beforehand.

that was unanticipated

Similar to unforeseen, stressing the lack of prior planning or expectation.

that was drastic

Implies a significant and sudden change, often with a negative connotation.

that was brutal

Emphasizes the harsh and shocking nature of the event.

that was surprising

Highlights the feeling of astonishment caused by the event.

that was quick

Focuses on the speed with which something happened.

that was lightning-fast

Stresses the extreme speed of the event, using a vivid comparison.

that was instantaneous

Indicates that something happened immediately and without any delay.

FAQs

How can I use "that was sudden" in a sentence?

You can use "that was sudden" to describe something that happened quickly and unexpectedly. For example, "The storm appeared out of nowhere; that was sudden".

What are some alternatives to "that was sudden"?

You can use alternatives like "that was abrupt", "that was unexpected", or "that was unforeseen" depending on the context.

Is "that was sudden" too informal for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "that was sudden" might be considered less formal. In academic writing, consider using more precise language such as "the transition was abrupt" or "the shift occurred unexpectedly".

What's the difference between "that was sudden" and "that was surprising"?

"That was sudden" emphasizes the speed and lack of warning, while "that was surprising" highlights the feeling of astonishment or disbelief. They can often be used interchangeably, but the specific nuance depends on the context.