Learn English – Is ‘It all happened so sudden’ correct?

grammaticalityword-usage

Can I say "It all happened so sudden"? I wanted to use it as a Whatsapp status but I am not entirely sure if I can use it like this.

Best Answer

The word category flat adverbs covers words that can be used adjectivally (to modify a noun) and adverbially (to modify a verb) without changing the form of the word. So, for example,...

Come quick!
Don't talk so loud.
Drop the gun real slow!

...where we1 might have expected quickly, loudly, really slowly.

OP's example probably wouldn't be explicitly identified as a credible "flaqt adverb" by any recognised authorities. The usage does occur, but there are ten times more instances of the "correct" version happened so suddenly, and personally I don't think there's any reason for supposing that using the "incorrect" version would make native speakers think you've got an ear for relaxed colloquial speech patterns.


TL;DR: In essence, it's a mistake. But not a serious one, and it wouldn't normally be explicitly recognised as an error in ordinary speech. Except by pedants (and perhaps TEFL exam setters! :)


1 By "we", I really mean "you" (learners), of course. Native speakers learn how to use flat adverbs by repeated exposure to examples which they then repeat in their own speech. Learners are much more likely to think in terms of applying a "rule" they've been taught (adjective + -ly = adverb).