not at all surprised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not at all surprised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a complete lack of surprise regarding a situation or outcome. Example: "When I heard the news about the company's merger, I was not at all surprised given the recent market trends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

I'm not at all surprised.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sadly, I'm not at all surprised.

The Guardian - Opinion

I am not at all surprised by this scandal.

The New York Times

"I'm not at all surprised by this," Mr. Boardman said.

The New York Times

Rousselot was not at all surprised by this revelation.

The New Yorker

Yet he seems not at all surprised when his parents reply.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

He wasn't at all surprised.

The New Yorker

He didn't spot that look this year, and he wasn't at all surprised.

The New Yorker

Knowing all this, I wasn't at all surprised by the admissions scandal that broke this past week.

The Washington Post

A. I wasn't at all surprised by Favre's refusal.

The New York Times

Sherry is indefatigable so I wasn't at all surprised in the end that she was victorious.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not at all surprised" to express a complete lack of astonishment or disbelief about a situation or event. It's suitable when the outcome aligns with expectations or prior knowledge.

Common error

While effective, relying too heavily on "not at all surprised" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your expressions by using alternatives like "completely unsurprised" or "totally expected" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not at all surprised" functions as an adjectival phrase expressing a complete lack of surprise. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It modifies a subject to indicate their state of mind regarding an event or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not at all surprised" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a complete lack of astonishment or shock. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability, supported by numerous examples from reputable sources. While versatile, it's advisable to use varied expressions to prevent repetition in writing. Remember, this phrase communicates that an event or information aligns with prior expectations or knowledge, making it predictable and unremarkable. Its neutral register suits many communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely unsurprised

Uses a different adjective to emphasize the lack of surprise.

not in the least surprised

Adds emphasis to the lack of surprise with "in the least".

it was no surprise

Rephrases the sentiment as a statement about the event itself.

hardly surprising

Uses a different adjective to describe the lack of surprise.

totally expected

Focuses on the expectation of the event rather than the lack of surprise.

I saw it coming

Indicates foresight and anticipation of the event.

was to be expected

Highlights the predictability of the outcome.

wasn't taken aback

Focuses on the lack of shock or being startled.

knew it was coming

Implies prior knowledge or anticipation of the event.

didn't bat an eye

Figurative language to show lack of reaction or surprise.

FAQs

How can I use "not at all surprised" in a sentence?

You can use "not at all surprised" to express a lack of astonishment about something. For example, "I was "not at all surprised" when I heard the news, as I had been expecting it."

What can I say instead of "not at all surprised"?

You can use alternatives like "completely unsurprised", "totally expected", or "it was no surprise" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "not at all surprised" or "completely unsurprised"?

Both "not at all surprised" and "completely unsurprised" are correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice depends on personal preference and the desired emphasis.

What does it mean when someone says they are "not at all surprised"?

When someone says they are ""not at all surprised"", it means they had anticipated the event or outcome and therefore experienced no astonishment or shock when it occurred.