What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sharply
Example
The car turned sharply to avoid hitting the pedestrian. [sharply: adverb]
Example
The stock prices fell sharply after the company's announcement. [sharply: adverb]
suddenly
Example
Suddenly, the lights went out and we were left in complete darkness. [suddenly: adverb]
Example
He suddenly realized that he had left his wallet at home. [suddenly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Suddenly is more commonly used than sharply in everyday language. Suddenly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sharply is less common and often used in more specific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sharply and suddenly?
Both sharply and suddenly can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, sharply may be perceived as more formal due to its association with technical or measurable contexts.
