no wonder

USAGE SUMMARY

"no wonder" is a perfectly valid expression in written English.
You can use it to express surprise, wonder, or disbelief in the face of something that was just said or done. A simple example sentence would be, "He skipped work for a month, no wonder his boss was so angry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No wonder.

The New York Times - Arts

No wonder he stumbled.

Independent

"No wonder he's leaving".

The New York Times

It is no wonder.

The New York Times - Sports

And it's no wonder.

The New York Times

No wonder we're nervous.

Independent

No wonder they're angry.

The New York Times - Tech

No wonder they sneer.

The New York Times

No wonder I'm single".

The New York Times

No wonder they come.

The Economist

No wonder she's yelling.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "no wonder" to introduce an explanation or reason for a situation that might seem puzzling at first. This helps to connect cause and effect clearly for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "no wonder" without first establishing a situation or fact that the phrase explains. The phrase is most effective when it directly follows the information it clarifies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no wonder" functions as an exclamatory expression of understanding or lack of surprise. It often introduces a clause explaining a previous statement or situation. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "no wonder" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express a lack of surprise or to introduce an explanation for something that has occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's frequently found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure there's a clear preceding context to avoid ambiguity. While generally neutral in tone, consider more formal alternatives in highly professional or academic settings. Related phrases include "it's not surprising" and "that explains it". Finally, remember that "no wonder" conveys a lack of surprise, the opposite of "it's a wonder", which expresses amazement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's not surprising

This alternative uses a more direct statement of the lack of surprise.

it figures

This is a more informal way of saying something is not surprising.

that explains it

This phrase focuses on the explanatory aspect of the situation.

that makes sense

This alternative highlights the logical consistency of the situation.

small wonder

This phrase is a more emphatic way of expressing lack of surprise.

unsurprisingly

This alternative directly indicates that something is not surprising.

it was to be expected

This phrase focuses on the predictability of the situation.

hardly surprising

This alternative emphasizes the lack of surprise.

as expected

This emphasizes the expectation of the situation.

naturally

This expresses that the situation is a natural consequence.

FAQs

How can I use "no wonder" in a sentence?

"No wonder" is used to express that something is not surprising, often because of a previously stated reason. For example, "He studied all night; "no wonder" he passed the test".

What are some alternatives to "no wonder"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it is not surprising", "that explains it", or "that makes sense", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "no wonder" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "no wonder" can sometimes sound informal. In very formal contexts, consider using a more formal alternative such as "it is not surprising" or "understandably".

What's the difference between "no wonder" and "it's a wonder"?

"No wonder" expresses a lack of surprise, while "it's a wonder" expresses surprise or amazement. They have opposite meanings. For instance, "No wonder she's tired, she worked a double shift" versus "It's a wonder she's still smiling after all that work!"