All of a Sudden vs All of the Sudden
What’s the difference between them?
All of a Sudden
Meaning:
This phrase means 'immediately, without warning, or unexpectedly'.
Examples:
1. All of a sudden, the lights went out.
2. All of a sudden, she remembered the answer to the question.
3. All of a sudden, I felt a chill go down my spine.
All of the Sudden
Meaning:
common misuse of the phrase 'all of a sudden.'
Examples:
no examples
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
All of a Sudden
1. Abruptly
2. Instantly
3. On the spot
4. Out of the blue
5. Without warning
1. Gradually
2. Piece by Piece
3. Slowly Over Time
4. Over an Extended Period
5. Step by Step
All of the Sudden
This word doesn't exist, so there are no synonyms for it.
This word doesn't exist, so there are no antonyms for it.
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "All of a Sudden", "All of the Sudden".
1. When spoken aloud, 'All of a sudden' has a rhythm and flow that sounds familiar and natural to native speakers.
2. On the other hand, 'All of the sudden' may sound off or awkward.
3. 'All of a sudden' is consistent in its use of the indefinite article 'a' before 'sudden.'
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the first word 'all of a sudden' be used?
The phrase 'all of a sudden' is typically used to describe something that happened quickly and unexpectedly. It’s usually used to emphasize the rapid nature of the event and the surprise it brought to the people involved. For example, one might say, 'I was walking down the street when, all of a sudden, a car came speeding around the corner.'
When is the appropriate context for using the second word 'all of the sudden'?
The phrase 'all of the sudden' is not commonly used in English, and it is considered to be an incorrect phrase. The correct phrase is 'all of a sudden.'
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
Yes, both 'all of a sudden' and 'all of the sudden' are pronounced the same way.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One of the most common mistakes people make when using these words is using 'all of the sudden' instead of 'all of a sudden.' Another common mistake is using 'all of a sudden' when the event that has occurred was not sudden or unexpected. It is important to remember that 'all of a sudden' should only be used to emphasize an unexpected and rapid event.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. As she was walking through the peaceful garden, __________, a loud noise startled her.
2. The room was quiet, and then, __________, the lights went out, plunging it into darkness.
3. The children were playing happily in the yard when, __________, a gust of wind blew their toys away.
4. __________, the sky darkened, and a heavy rainstorm began.
5. They were having a normal conversation when, __________, he announced he was quitting his job.
6. The cat was sleeping peacefully, but __________, it jumped up and dashed out of the room.
1. As she was walking through the peaceful garden, all of a sudden, a loud noise startled her.
Explanation: All of a sudden is used to describe the suddenness of the loud noise.
2. The room was quiet, and then, all of a sudden, the lights went out, plunging it into darkness.
Explanation: All of a sudden emphasizes the abrupt change in the rooms lighting.
3. The children were playing happily in the yard when, all of a sudden, a gust of wind blew their toys away.
Explanation: All of a sudden highlights the unexpected occurrence of the gust of wind.
4. All of a sudden, the sky darkened, and a heavy rainstorm began.
Explanation: The phrase is used to convey the sudden onset of the rainstorm.
5. They were having a normal conversation when, all of a sudden, he announced he was quitting his job.
Explanation: All of a sudden emphasizes the unexpected nature of the job announcement.
6. The cat was sleeping peacefully, but all of a sudden, it jumped up and dashed out of the room.
Explanation: The phrase is used to describe the sudden and unexpected movement of the cat.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.