Suddenly describes something happening quickly and unexpectedly.
The idea
Place suddenly before the main verb, at the start, or at the end: The lights suddenly went out; Suddenly, the dog barked; The weather changed suddenly.
Examples
- The lights suddenly went out.
- Suddenly, the dog started barking.
- I suddenly remembered the address.
- The weather changed suddenly during our walk.
- She suddenly stopped speaking.
- A bird suddenly landed on the table.
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Watch out
Suddenly adds unexpectedness as well as abruptness; quickly can describe speed without surprise.
Try it yourself
Choose the word for an unexpected abrupt event. Without warning, the lights ___ went out. (suddenly / regularly)
Show answer or example answer
suddenly
Suddenly fits an abrupt and unexpected event.
Choose the adverb before the main verb. She ___ stopped speaking. (suddenly / sudden)
Show answer or example answer
suddenly
After the subject, suddenly can precede the main verb.
Choose the word that can open the sentence. ___, the dog started barking. (Suddenly / Sudden)
Show answer or example answer
Suddenly
Suddenly can begin a sentence before a comma.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the word for an unexpected abrupt event. Without warning, the lights ___ went out. (suddenly / regularly)
Choose the adverb before the main verb. She ___ stopped speaking. (suddenly / sudden)
Choose the word that can open the sentence. ___, the dog started barking. (Suddenly / Sudden)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Tell a short story in which an unexpected change happens suddenly.