Meaning & use
suddenly
Last updated
UK/ˈsʌdənli/
US/ˈsʌdənli/
Meaning
adverbnot comparable
In a way that happens quickly and without warning.
Grammar: Usually before the verb or at the start of a clause: suddenly, it rained.
Patterns
- suddenly do something
- suddenly, ...
Suddenly, the lights went out.
The dog suddenly stopped and stared.
She suddenly realized she had left her keys at home.
Common combinations
- suddenly realize
- He suddenly realized he was late.
- suddenly appear
- A deer suddenly appeared on the road.
- suddenly stop
- The music suddenly stopped.
- all of a sudden
- All of a sudden, it began to snow.
- suddenly and unexpectedly
- The storm struck suddenly and unexpectedly.
Synonyms and how they differ
- abruptly
- Abruptly stresses an unexpected break or change, often a sharp one.
- all of a sudden
- All of a sudden is more informal and conversational.
- unexpectedly
- Unexpectedly focuses on being a surprise rather than speed.
- out of the blue
- Out of the blue is idiomatic and suggests complete surprise.
Opposites
Word family
- sudden adjective
- happening quickly and unexpectedly
- suddenness noun
- the quality of being sudden
Commonly confused: suddenly or sudden?
suddenly vs sudden
Sudden is the adjective; suddenly is the adverb: a sudden noise, it stopped suddenly.
Practice
Which sentence uses the correct form?
Choose one answer.
An adverb is needed to describe how the noise stopped, and suddenly is the adverb form.
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