not exactly surprising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not exactly surprising" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is somewhat expected or predictable, often in a context where the outcome aligns with prior expectations. Example: "Given the team's recent performance, their loss in the finals was not exactly surprising."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

And so the mistrial is not exactly surprising.

The New Yorker

Of course, the ancestral streak is not exactly surprising.

The New York Times

If gentrification east of the river is coming late, that is not exactly surprising.

The New York Times

"We were close hacking partners for 20 years, so it was disappointing, though not exactly surprising.

The Guardian - Tech

Maybe that's because the results of the studies are not exactly surprising.

The New York Times - Health

News that Big Ben or, more properly, St Stephen's Tower, is leaning is not exactly surprising.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Though repellent, it wasn't exactly surprising.

The New Yorker

The huge fall isn't exactly surprising.

The Guardian - Opinion

Harsh as they were, Soros's criticisms of Trump weren't exactly surprising.

The New Yorker

There have been complaints from the left that Kaine isn't progressive enough, which isn't exactly surprising.

The New Yorker

That Spore is the most downloaded game of the year isn't exactly surprising.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not exactly surprising" to gently downplay the unexpectedness of an event, especially when a stronger expression might seem overly dramatic. For instance, when discussing predictable outcomes in a political landscape, this phrase allows you to acknowledge predictability without sounding cynical.

Common error

Avoid using "not exactly surprising" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. While acceptable, it can sometimes lack the precision and gravitas expected in those settings. Opt for alternatives like "predictable" or "foreseeable" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not exactly surprising" functions as a hedge or understatement. It diminishes the level of surprise associated with an event or situation. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and widely used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not exactly surprising" serves as a useful tool for expressing a mild lack of astonishment or indicating that an event was somewhat expected. Grammatically correct and highly versatile, it's widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. Alternatives include phrases like "hardly surprising" and "predictable". While generally acceptable, it's best to avoid overuse in highly formal settings where greater precision is desired. Overall, it's a valuable phrase for subtly conveying expectations without strong emotional emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly surprising

Emphasizes the lack of surprise more strongly than the original phrase.

scarcely surprising

Similar to 'hardly surprising', but with a slightly more formal tone.

hardly unexpected

Replaces 'surprising' with its antonym, focusing on the lack of unexpectedness.

predictable

A more concise and direct way to express that something was anticipated.

foreseeable

Similar to 'predictable', but suggests the event was capable of being anticipated.

unsurprising

A more direct and less nuanced way of saying something isn't surprising.

somewhat anticipated

Highlights the element of anticipation, implying partial expectation.

not entirely unexpected

Similar to "not exactly surprising", but slightly weaker in emphasis.

hardly a shock

Informal way of saying something was not surprising, emphasizing the lack of shock.

to be expected

A common phrase indicating something aligns with expectations.

FAQs

What does "not exactly surprising" mean?

The phrase "not exactly surprising" means that something is somewhat expected or predictable, although perhaps not entirely certain. It suggests that the event or situation aligns with prior expectations or patterns.

What are some alternatives to "not exactly surprising"?

You can use alternatives like "hardly surprising", "predictable", or "unsurprising" depending on the context.

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

You might say, "Given the company's financial difficulties, the announcement of layoffs was "not exactly surprising"" or "After their previous arguments, their breakup was "not exactly surprising"".

What is the difference between "not exactly surprising" and "surprising"?

"Surprising" indicates something unexpected or astonishing. "Not exactly surprising", on the other hand, indicates that something was more or less expected, reducing any sense of shock or astonishment.