play illustration of a man watching a washing machine overflow
Commonly Confused

'All over sudden' vs. 'All of a sudden'

We'll help you figure it out at once


Is the correct phrase 'all over sudden' or 'all of a sudden'? Senior Editor Emily Brewster explains.

Transcript

Sometimes a word that sounds like the right word and feels like the right word isn't actually the right word. It's an eggcorn. Something that happens sooner than expected doesn't happen "all over sudden," it happens "all of a sudden." Sudden here is an obsolete noun meaning an unexpected occurrence.

Up next

play video schwa
The Schwa

 

The most common vowel sound in English causes many spelling problems.

play further vs farther video
Further vs. Farther

 

They started as same word, but their meanings have drifted apart over time.

play video who vs whom
Who vs. Whom

 

Good news for those who feel stuffy saying 'whom.'

play emily brewster and one and the same text graphic
'One in the same' or 'One and the same'?

 

Is it all the same anyway?

play video healthy vs healthful
Healthy vs. Healthful

 

Why both words are equally good for you.

play video hopefully
Hopefully

 

We believe the popular usage of this word is correct