All of the sudden...

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Thu, 2002-01-31 21:26

I remember arguing about this in high school journalism class and I still keep running across it. So I'm going to find out once and for all! Is it "All of a sudden" or "All of the sudden?"

Thu, 2002-01-31 22:06

mississippi

It's a sudden nuisance, donny!

Thu, 2002-01-31 23:43

Karl Wiggins

All of "A" sudden.

Sat, 2002-02-02 15:50

Aridayle

Damn, so my Dad was right after all!

Fri, 2002-02-01 10:20

Stephen Gardiner

And if you want the archaic form so you can sound like a pretentious wally, use "all on a sudden".

Fri, 2002-02-01 10:40

aridayle

there's sudden strange going on here, if you ask me... Yeah, alright! But Missi had already used up the best pun!

Fri, 2002-02-01 10:41

aridayle

Actually, this is like the old 'can' or 'may' thing. When I was little, I used to say 'Dad, can I?' or whatever, only to be told, 'No, but you may.' So which is right? Can I, or may I?

Fri, 2002-02-01 11:03

Stephen Gardiner

A pedant writes: "can" = able to, knowing how to do something, free from physical restraint etc. "may" = having permission, legally allowed etc. My wife uses a very old-fashioned form of "should" - I think it's something they put in the water in Norfolk. She is wont to say "I should like to go to the pub". And remember that "wont" rhymes with "don't" and not with "font". Actually, my wife never wants to go to the pub.

Fri, 2002-02-01 15:03

Karl Wiggins

Stephen's right, of course. If you "can't", whether you "may" or not is of little importance. There's no point in giving you permission to do something you can't do. No matter how positively you think about it. I "can't" swim around the world. My father "may" give me "permission" to "try", but you and I both know I "can't" do it.

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