comes as no surprise

USAGE SUMMARY

'comes as no surprise' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express that something is expected or unsurprising. Example: "It comes as no surprise that John got an A on the test - he is an excellent student."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This comes as no surprise.

The Economist

That comes as no surprise.

The New York Times

The ambition comes as no surprise.

The New York Times

"It comes as no surprise to us.

Independent

Yet it comes as no surprise.

Independent

Especially because this comes as no surprise.

Independent

"But it comes as no surprise".

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Carr's column comes as no surprise.

The New York Times

Their collaboration comes as no surprise.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

This brilliant performance comes as no surprise.

The New York Times - Arts

The mutiny comes as no surprise.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comes as no surprise" to subtly express that an event or outcome was predictable based on prior knowledge or circumstances. It is a polite way to acknowledge an expected result without sounding overly critical or negative.

Common error

While "comes as no surprise" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your tone sound dismissive. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "is to be expected" or "was foreseeable" in professional documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comes as no surprise" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate that a particular event or outcome was expected or predictable. It often serves to express a lack of astonishment or to downplay the significance of the event. This aligns with examples from Ludwig where outcomes were anticipated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "comes as no surprise" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a lack of surprise or expectation regarding an event or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. It is particularly common in News & Media, but also appears in Science and Formal & Business contexts. While versatile, it's essential to consider the tone and formality of the context when using it, opting for more neutral alternatives in highly formal situations to avoid sounding dismissive. Alternatives like "is unsurprising" or "was anticipated" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Overall, "comes as no surprise" is a reliable and readily understood phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unsurprising

A direct synonym, simply using the adjective form.

is not surprising

Changes the verb and adds a negative to convey a similar meaning of expectedness.

wasn't unexpected

Uses a double negative to convey a similar sentiment, implying it was somewhat expected.

is to be expected

Emphasizes the inevitability of the event, implying it was predictable.

is hardly surprising

Adds a subtle nuance, suggesting a minimal level of surprise.

was foreseeable

Focuses on the ability to anticipate the event beforehand.

was anticipated

Highlights that the event was expected ahead of time.

is no shock

Uses a more informal term, "shock", to denote surprise.

is predictable

Highlights the quality of being easily predicted.

doesn't raise eyebrows

An idiomatic expression indicating lack of surprise or concern.

FAQs

How can I use "comes as no surprise" in a sentence?

You can use "comes as no surprise" to indicate that something was expected. For example, "It "comes as no surprise" that the team won, given their excellent track record."

What are some alternatives to "comes as no surprise"?

Alternatives include "is unsurprising", "is to be expected", or "was anticipated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "comes as no surprise"?

Yes, "comes as no surprise" is grammatically correct and widely used in English. It follows standard grammatical rules.

What's the difference between "comes as no surprise" and "is not surprising"?

While similar, ""comes as no surprise"" often implies a sense of resignation or mild acceptance, whereas "is not surprising" is a more neutral statement of fact.