is nothing new

USAGE SUMMARY

"is nothing new" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation which has happened before, or to express a lack of surprise at an event or situation. For example: "The way she changes her mind every day is nothing new; she's always been indecisive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is nothing new.

The New York Times

"That is nothing new".

Independent

The fury is nothing new.

The New York Times

The challenge is nothing new.

The New York Times - Sports

The scrutiny is nothing new.

The New York Times - Sports

Building "green" is nothing new.

The New York Times - Arts

This fascination is nothing new.

Independent

Youthful apathy is nothing new.

The Economist

Their persecution is nothing new.

Independent

Byrne's accusation is nothing new.

The Guardian

This rivalry is nothing new.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is nothing new" to express that a situation or event is not surprising or novel due to prior occurrences. It effectively conveys a sense of familiarity or lack of innovation.

Common error

While "is nothing new" is widely understood, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "is not unprecedented" or "lacks novelty" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is nothing new" functions as a comment or observation, indicating that a particular situation, event, or idea is not novel or surprising. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is nothing new" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a lack of surprise or novelty. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives may be suitable for academic or professional writing. Be mindful of overuse and consider context-appropriate synonyms to enhance the sophistication of your writing. The phrase effectively communicates familiarity and a lack of innovation regarding a particular subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is nothing surprising

Focuses on the lack of astonishment.

is not unprecedented

Emphasizes the lack of prior occurrence; more formal.

is not unheard of

Highlights the possibility that the user has come across something of the sort before.

is not a novelty

Focuses on the lack of uniqueness.

is old news

Highlights that the information is already known; more informal.

is a common occurrence

Stresses the frequency of the event.

is to be expected

Suggests anticipation of the event.

is the usual

Implies that it is a customary event.

is a well-worn path

Implies something that has happened many times and the result are certain.

has been around for ages

Highlights the amount of time that something exists.

FAQs

How can I use "is nothing new" in a sentence?

You can use "is nothing new" to indicate that something is not surprising or has happened before. For example, "His constant complaining "is nothing new"; he's always been a complainer."

What can I say instead of "is nothing new"?

You can use alternatives like "is not surprising", "is not unprecedented", or "is old news" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "is nothing new" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "is nothing new" might be considered informal for academic or professional contexts. Alternatives like "lacks novelty" or "is not a recent development" may be more suitable.

What's the difference between "is nothing new" and "is not surprising"?

Both phrases indicate a lack of surprise, but "is nothing new" emphasizes that the situation has occurred before, while "is not surprising" simply conveys a lack of astonishment, regardless of prior occurrences.