A2adverb1K

UK/["/ˈsʌdənli/"]/US/["/ˈsʌdənli/"]/

Meaning of Suddenly

quickly and unexpectedly

In simple words: Happening quickly and without warning

Suddenly in a sentence

  • I **suddenly realized** what I had to do.
  • I **suddenly became** aware of just how late it was.
  • She took ill and **died suddenly** at her home.
  • You might **suddenly find yourself **in dire need of cash.
  • A pedestrian **suddenly appeared **in front of the taxi.
  • I tried to sit up but I **suddenly felt** dizzy.
  • His face suddenly turned a deep shade of red.
  • Grandma stopped suddenly and looked directly at us.
  • ‘Listen!’ said Doyle suddenly.
  • It all happened so suddenly.

How to use Suddenly

Use 'suddenly' to describe an unexpected change or event. Commonly used in storytelling or descriptions of surprising moments. Avoid in very formal contexts.

Grammar pattern

standalone adverb

Memory hint

Think of 'sudden' + 'ly' – like a lightning flash that appears suddenly!

Related words

Collocations with Suddenly

  • suddenly appear
  • suddenly realize
  • suddenly stop
  • suddenly change

Synonyms for Suddenly

Opposites of Suddenly

Common mistakes with Suddenly

  • Using 'suddenly' with the wrong tense (e.g., 'sudden' for past actions).
  • Confusing 'suddenly' with 'sudden', forgetting it needs to modify verbs.
  • Using 'suddenly' too often, making writing sound repetitive.

Compare Suddenly with Instantly, Immediately, Quickly

Suddenly appears in

Suddenly in other languages

More words like Suddenly

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Frequently asked questions about Suddenly

What does Suddenly mean?

Happening quickly and without warning

What is the definition of Suddenly?

quickly and unexpectedly

How do you use Suddenly in a sentence?

I **suddenly realized** what I had to do.

Can you give another example of Suddenly?

I **suddenly became** aware of just how late it was.

What are synonyms for Suddenly?

Common alternatives include unexpectedly, abruptly, instantly, immediately, quickly.

What is the opposite of Suddenly?

Opposite meanings include gradually, slowly.

What words go with Suddenly?

It commonly pairs with suddenly appear, suddenly realize, suddenly stop, suddenly change.

What are common mistakes when using Suddenly?

Using 'suddenly' with the wrong tense (e.g., 'sudden' for past actions). Confusing 'suddenly' with 'sudden', forgetting it needs to modify verbs. Using 'suddenly' too often, making writing sound repetitive.

How do you pronounce Suddenly?

US: /["/ˈsʌdənli/"]/, UK: /["/ˈsʌdənli/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Suddenly?

Use 'suddenly' to describe an unexpected change or event. Commonly used in storytelling or descriptions of surprising moments. Avoid in very formal contexts.

What CEFR level is Suddenly?

"Suddenly" is at A2 level on the CEFR scale.