it is not surprising that

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is not surprising that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when something should be anticipated or is expected. For example, "It is not surprising that the new movie was well-received, given the success of the book on which it is based."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is not surprising that gene finding algorithms make errors.

BMC Genomics

It is not surprising that the change of its activity will result in liver diseases.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Therefore, it is not surprising that MSCs are highly mechanosensitive.

Vitamins & Hormones

"It is not surprising that this hasn't changed," Humphreys said.

Cornell University

It is not surprising that the Mediterranean beckons.

The Economist

It is not surprising that they are resented.

Independent

It is not surprising that they are nervous.

Independent

It is not surprising that federal agencies move, well, deliberately.

The New York Times

It is not surprising that DNA tests have real risks.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it is not surprising that it begins even earlier.

The New York Times

It is not surprising that this is happening to Corbynism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is not surprising that" to introduce a statement that logically follows from previously stated information, creating a sense of continuity and expectation for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it is not surprising that" when the context already heavily implies predictability; doing so can make your writing sound repetitive or condescending.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not surprising that" functions as a sentence introducer. It sets the stage for a statement that the speaker or writer believes is a logical or predictable consequence of something previously mentioned. Ludwig confirms its function and proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

35%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is not surprising that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a statement that is predictable or expected based on prior information. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts. Its primary function is to signal a lack of surprise, emphasizing the logical connection between events, and it commonly appears in science, news, and academic writing. While it's a useful tool for establishing continuity and expectation, avoid overusing it in already obvious situations. Consider alternatives such as "unsurprisingly" or "as expected" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it should come as no surprise that

Adds emphasis, suggesting the outcome should not shock anyone.

it is to be expected that

Uses a more formal tone and emphasizes anticipation of the event.

it was predictable that

Focuses on the predictability of the outcome.

it stands to reason that

Implies a logical or rational basis for the expected outcome.

it is only natural that

Suggests the outcome aligns with natural tendencies or expectations.

it figures that

Offers a more informal and sometimes cynical take on the expected outcome.

as expected

A concise phrase indicating the event happened as predicted.

unsurprisingly

An adverb that modifies the statement with a connotation of a lack of surprise.

it was inevitable that

Highlights the unavoidable nature of the outcome.

no one is surprised that

Emphasizes the widespread lack of surprise at the outcome.

FAQs

What does "it is not surprising that" mean?

It means that something is expected or predictable given the circumstances. It indicates a lack of surprise.

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

Use "it is not surprising that" to introduce a statement that logically follows from something previously mentioned. For example: "The company invested heavily in marketing; "it is not surprising that" their sales increased significantly".

What are some alternatives to "it is not surprising that"?

You can use alternatives such as "unsurprisingly", "as expected", or "it should come as no surprise that", depending on the context.

Is there a more formal way to say "it is not surprising that"?

Yes, a more formal alternative would be "it is to be expected that". This conveys a similar meaning but with a more elevated tone.