How to say “all of a sudden” like a native speaker
Unexpectedly and quickly. It is often used in stories to mark a surprising change.
All phrases · Common idioms
Hear “all of a sudden” in real speech
Clip 1 · Josh Kaufman
The first 20 hours -- how to learn anything | Josh Kaufman | TEDxCSU · 5:50
About this video
Josh Kaufman discusses learning a new skill with limited time, starting with how becoming a parent changed his priorities. He explains his approach to making the first twenty hours of practice more focused and efficient.
In context
immediately came out, reached the top of best seller lists, stayed there for three solid months.All of a sudden the 10,000 hour rule was everywhere.
And a society-wide game of telephone started to be played.
Clip 2 · Elizabeth Gilbert
Your elusive creative genius | Elizabeth Gilbert · 16:16
About this video
Elizabeth Gilbert reflects on her relationship with writing after the success of her memoir, Eat, Pray, Love. She explores ways to think about creativity and the uncertainty of the creative process.
In context
but everything would align.And all of a sudden, he would no longer appear to be merely human.
He would be lit from within, and lit from below and all lit up on fire with divinity.
Clip 3 · Jill Bolte Taylor
My stroke of insight | Jill Bolte Taylor | TED · 9:10
About this video
Jill Bolte Taylor describes her interest in studying the brain and her experience of having a stroke. She connects her scientific work with the changes in awareness she remembers during that event.
In context
I felt at one with all the energy that was, and it was beautiful there.Then all of a sudden my left hemisphere comes back online and it says to me, "Hey! We've got a problem!
We've got to get some help."
When to use “all of a sudden”
- Telling a story about weather: “All of a sudden, it started to hail.”
- Describing a surprise interruption: “We were eating when, all of a sudden, the lights went out.”
Common learner mistake
Keep “a” in the expression: “all of a sudden”, not “all of sudden”.
Possible connected-speech patterns in “all of a sudden”
“Of a” runs together with two light vowels. “Sudden” has its main stress on the first syllable.
Related phrases
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