ENGLISH
REFERENCE

suddenly

adv. manner
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˈsədənɫi// UK //sˈʌdənli// sud·den·ly General-service

adv. happening very quickly and when you do not expect it. You use this to describe a surprise or a fast change.

adv. occurring quickly and without warning. Used to indicate an abrupt transition or an unexpected event.


SIMPLE

The rain started suddenly while we were walking.

CONTEXTUAL

The car in front of us stopped suddenly, forcing my father to slam on the brakes.

COMPLEX

The peaceful atmosphere of the afternoon was suddenly shattered by a loud explosion from the nearby construction site, sending birds scattering into the sky.

Synonyms
Origin

Inherited from Middle English sodenly, sodeynly, sodeinliche, sodaynlyche; equivalent to sudden + -ly.

Usage

Typically placed at the beginning of a sentence for dramatic effect or after the verb to describe the action.

Pitfall

It was a suddenly change.It was a sudden change.Learners often use the adverb 'suddenly' to modify a noun, but the adjective 'sudden' is required in that position.

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