sudden change — unexpected change
collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
A situation where something becomes different very quickly and without warning.
Say it like a native
Textbook There was an abrupt and unforeseen alteration in the weather.
Native There was a sudden change in the weather.
'Sudden change' is the natural collocation; 'abrupt alteration' is stiff.
Pattern: sudden change (in/of/to something)
In use
- There was a sudden change in the weather, and it started raining heavily.daily life
- In my country, there has been a sudden change in the way people use technology, especially since the pandemic.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ It was a sudden change of the weather.
✓ It was a sudden change in the weather.
'Change OF plan', but 'change IN' a condition like the weather or mood.
Common collocations
sudden change + in/of— in the weather, of plan, in mood, in direction
Don't confuse it
‘Sudden change’ is stronger than ‘quick change’—it means you did not expect it.