is not surprising

USAGE SUMMARY

"is not surprising" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something has happened that is no unexpected or unusual, for example: "The fact that he scored so highly on the exam is not surprising, considering how hard he worked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

ReprintsThis is not surprising.

The Economist

This is not surprising.

The New York Times

That is not surprising.

The New York Times

Perhaps this is not surprising.

The Economist

Its success is not surprising.

The New Yorker

This, unfortunately, is not surprising.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

This isn't surprising.

The New York Times - Books

Such access isn't surprising.

The New York Times - Books

Perhaps this isn't surprising.

The New York Times

And it isn't surprising.

The New Yorker

That isn't surprising.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is not surprising", ensure the context clearly establishes why the event or situation is predictable. Lack of context can make the phrase seem vague or irrelevant.

Common error

Avoid using "is not surprising" as a mere filler phrase. Always provide a clear and logical reason why the described situation isn't surprising to maintain the credibility and clarity of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not surprising" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a preceding statement. It expresses a lack of astonishment or predictability regarding the situation or event described. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, as demonstrated in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is not surprising" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that expresses a lack of surprise or predictability. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context to justify why something isn't surprising, and avoid overusing it as a filler. Alternatives like "is to be expected" or "comes as no surprise" can add nuance to your writing. This phrase functions as an adjective phrase, typically to modify a preceding statement by indicating agreement or understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unsurprising

A direct synonym, emphasizing the lack of surprise.

comes as no surprise

Highlights the absence of surprise, often implying prior knowledge or expectation.

was to be expected

Similar to "is to be expected", but uses the past tense to emphasize the prior anticipation.

is to be expected

Expresses anticipation rather than a lack of surprise, suggesting the outcome was predictable.

is hardly shocking

Emphasizes the lack of shock associated with an event, suggesting it was predictable or anticipated.

is predictable

Focuses on the predictability of the event, indicating a clear cause-and-effect relationship.

could be foreseen

Highlights the ability to predict the outcome, suggesting it was evident in advance.

was anticipated

Highlights the expectation of an event, suggesting it was foreseen or planned for.

doesn't raise eyebrows

Indicates that the event is unremarkable and doesn't cause concern or surprise.

is only natural

Suggests the outcome is a logical or inevitable consequence of previous events or conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "is not surprising" in a sentence?

Use "is not surprising" to indicate that something is predictable or expected based on the given context. For instance, "Given his dedication to practice, it is not surprising he won the competition."

What are some alternatives to "is not surprising"?

You can use alternatives like "is to be expected", "comes as no surprise", or "is unsurprising" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "it is not surprising" or "it's not surprising"?

Both "it is not surprising" and "it's not surprising" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the desired level of formality, with the contracted form being slightly more informal.

What's the difference between "is not surprising" and "is unexpected"?

"Is not surprising" indicates something predictable, while "is unexpected" implies something that wasn't anticipated. They have opposite meanings. For example, the phrase "is to be expected" is the opposite of "is unexpected."