hardly a shock

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly a shock" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is not surprising or expected, often in a context where one might anticipate a different reaction. Example: "Given the recent events, the announcement of the company's closure was hardly a shock to anyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fitch's move was hardly a shock.

The Economist

That is hardly a shock to most viewers and critics.

The New York Times - Arts

That was hardly a shock, considering the opponent.

The New York Times - Sports

To many of his contemporaries such an admission is hardly a shock.

The New York Times

Their loss at Pittodrie to an unbeaten Aberdeen side was hardly a shock.

The Guardian - Sport

The news was hardly a shock for fans of the show.

The Guardian - Music

It is hardly a shock to discover that politicians say things to garner votes.

The Guardian

Hardly a shock, for anyone who's followed his work since the turn of the century.

The Guardian - Tech

But the Niosh findings are hardly a shock to those who spend time at the track.

The New York Times - Sports

This is hardly a shock: Demographics, like ocean liners, move slowly and can be spotted from afar.

The New York Times

That the red tops — as the most scabrous tabloids are known here — should cut corners was hardly a shock.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hardly a shock" to subtly convey that an event or outcome was anticipated or predictable, often implying a mild criticism or lack of enthusiasm about the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly a shock" excessively in formal or academic writing, as it can come across as dismissive or sarcastic. Opt for more neutral language like "unsurprising" or "predictable" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly a shock" functions as an adjectival phrase. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase expresses that something is not surprising or expected. It's often used to convey a sense of predictability or inevitability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hardly a shock" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a lack of surprise. Ludwig AI confirms that it indicates something expected or predictable. Predominantly used in neutral contexts such as News & Media, as the examples show, it's suitable for general audiences but should be used cautiously in formal writing to avoid sounding dismissive. Related phrases include "not surprising" and "predictable outcome", offering alternative ways to express the same sentiment. Remember that you should avoid using "hardly a shock" excessively in formal or academic writing, and that it's primarily for indicating an unsurprising event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly surprising

A slight rephrasing, maintaining the core meaning with a different emphasis.

scarcely surprising

Similar to "hardly surprising", but with a slightly different nuance in emphasis.

not surprising

Indicates a lack of surprise, similar to the original phrase but uses a simpler structure.

as expected

Short and direct, indicating that the event aligned with expectations.

not unexpected

Emphasizes the anticipation of an event, aligning with the lack of shock.

predictable outcome

Focuses on the predictability of the result, removing the element of surprise.

unsurprising development

Highlights the lack of surprise in the unfolding events.

no cause for surprise

Directly states the absence of a reason to be surprised.

foreseeable event

Stresses the ability to see the event coming, making it unsurprising.

just as one would expect

A more verbose way of saying something was predictable and not surprising.

FAQs

How can I use "hardly a shock" in a sentence?

"Hardly a shock" is used to express that something is not surprising. For example, "Given the company's financial troubles, the announcement of layoffs was "hardly a shock"."

What can I say instead of "hardly a shock"?

You can use alternatives like "not surprising", "predictable", or "unsurprising" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "hardly a shock" or "not a shock"?

Both ""hardly a shock"" and "not a shock" are grammatically correct, but ""hardly a shock"" implies a stronger sense of anticipation or inevitability. "Not a shock" is a more neutral statement.

What's the difference between "hardly a shock" and "a surprise"?

"Hardly a shock" indicates that something was expected, while "a surprise" indicates something unexpected. They are antonyms.