suddenly

The word "suddenly" diminishes prose by creating a sense of uncertainty and diluting the emotional impact of a moment. It often implies that the writer doesn't trust the action to stand on its own. In most cases, deleting "suddenly" tightens the narrative and allows the moment to resonate more deeply with the reader. Before: The sky darkened, and suddenly, the storm broke loose. After: The sky darkened, and the storm broke loose. Before: She turned the corner and suddenly saw him standing there. After: She turned the corner and saw him standing there. Before: Suddenly, he realized that he had made a terrible mistake. After: He realized that he had made a terrible mistake. In dialogue, "suddenly" can serve a purpose, especially in conveying shock or surprise. Characters may express abrupt realizations or unexpected events that reflect their emotional state. For instance, a character exclaiming, "Suddenly, I understood!" captures the essence of their revelation and adds authenticity to their voice. When revising, ask yourself: If you remove the word and the sentence retains its meaning and impact, then it was unnecessary clutter.