What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abruptly
Example
He stopped speaking abruptly when he saw her enter the room. [abruptly: adverb]
Example
The music ended abruptly, leaving the audience stunned. [abruptly: adverb]
suddenly
Example
Suddenly, the car swerved off the road and crashed into a tree. [suddenly: adverb]
Example
She suddenly realized that she had left her phone at home. [suddenly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Suddenly is more commonly used than abruptly in everyday language. Suddenly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while abruptly is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abruptly and suddenly?
Suddenly is considered more informal than abruptly, which is often used in more formal contexts such as academic writing or legal documents.
