all of a sudden

Meaning

This expression means quickly, unexpectedly, or without warning. It is used to describe a sudden change in a situation, often in storytelling or when describing surprising events. It is very common in spoken English.

Examples

• We were walking in the park when, all of a sudden, it started to pour rain.

  We were walking in the park when, all of a sudden, it started to pour rain.

• All of a sudden, the lights went out and the room was completely dark.

  All of a sudden, the lights went out and the room was completely dark.

• She was laughing, and then all of a sudden, she started crying.

  She was laughing, and then all of a sudden, she started crying.

• All of a sudden, a loud noise came from the kitchen.

  All of a sudden, a loud noise came from the kitchen.

• I was feeling fine, but all of a sudden, I got a terrible headache.

  I was feeling fine, but all of a sudden, I got a terrible headache.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ All of sudden, the car stopped working.

  ✓ All of a sudden, the car stopped working.

  This is a fixed idiom and must include the indefinite article 'a'.

• ✗ All of a suddenly, the dog started barking.

  ✓ All of a sudden, the dog started barking.

  Do not use the adverb 'suddenly' inside this prepositional phrase; the noun form 'sudden' is required here.

Related Expressions

Practice

• We were watching TV when, ___, the fire alarm went off.

  💡 unexpectedly

  Show answer

  all of a sudden

• ___, the dog jumped over the fence and ran away.

  💡 without warning

  Show answer

  All of a sudden