The word "sudden" is pronounced /ˈsʌdən/. The spelling of the word "sudden" in English may appear tricky, but it follows the general phonetic rules for spelling. The "sudd" syllable is spelt with "d" instead of "de" because the "d" sound is a plosive sound that makes the previous vowel sound shorter. The "en" syllable ends with an "n" because the previous vowel sound is nasal. Therefore, the spelling of the word "sudden" reflects the specific sound changes that occur in the English language.
Sudden is an adjective that is used to describe an event, occurrence, or change that happens quickly, unexpectedly, and without warning. It typically implies an abrupt or immediate happening that catches people by surprise. The term can also be associated with a lack of preparation or foreknowledge, as it suggests an event that occurs suddenly without any prior indication or clear reason.
For example, a sudden thunderstorm is one that quickly appears out of nowhere, with dark clouds and heavy rainfall suddenly descending upon an area. Similarly, a sudden illness refers to an unexpected and rapid onset of sickness, catching someone off guard.
Sudden can also describe an instant change in behavior or mood. For instance, if someone has a sudden change of heart, it means they quickly and unexpectedly adopt a new viewpoint or opinion.
The word sudden carries a sense of urgency, emphasizing that events or changes happened swiftly and unexpectedly. It conveys the notion of lack of anticipation or preparation, as it denotes occurrences that are immediate and unanticipated. As a result, sudden is often used to indicate the unexpected nature of something, highlighting its suddenness in comparison to what was previously expected or assumed.
• Suddenly; unexpectedly.
• Happening without notice or warning; unlooked for; rash; hasty.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word sudden originated from the Old English word sodan, which means violent, sudden. It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word sodeno, meaning sudden or unexpected. The Germanic root of the word is sod- or sud-, which is related to the Old Norse word sodr meaning quickly or straightway. Ultimately, the word can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root swedh-, meaning to take a stride or to go quickly.