not so surprised

USAGE SUMMARY

"not so surprised" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence like this: "I was not so surprised when I saw that my friends had arranged a surprise birthday party for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The writer is not so surprised.

The New Yorker

Her mother, Lillian, is not so surprised.

The New York Times

Some international students I spoke to were shocked – some not so surprised.

The Guardian

"Not so surprised because my label is more approachable than some of the other labels they have done collaborations with".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Larry Pleau, the assistant general manager of the United States team and the general manager of the St . LouisBlues, was not so surprised by Brooks's comments.

The New York Times - Sports

Frankly, I am not so surprised about the high failure rate on the Math A Regents exam (front page, June 25).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Ryan also told Lisa Reyerse, his high-school friend, who wasn't so surprised.

The New Yorker

"We weren't so surprised at the particular drugs that were involved," Dr. Budnitz said.

The New York Times

But as for the buildings, well, we weren't so surprised they went down the way they did".

The New Yorker

I know that might sound like magic, but I wasn't so surprised.

Huffington Post

Perhaps they should not be so surprised when they are betrayed by others.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not so surprised" to subtly express a lack of astonishment, implying a prior expectation or familiarity with the situation.

Common error

While acceptable, frequent use of "not so surprised" can sound repetitive. Opt for synonyms like "unsurprised" or "hardly shocked" in formal writing to diversify your expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not so surprised" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a subject to indicate a state of diminished surprise. This is consistent with Ludwig examples, where the phrase describes reactions to events or information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not so surprised" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that functions as an adjectival phrase expressing a lack of astonishment or mild expectation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is commonly found in news and media contexts and serves to convey a sense of prior knowledge or preparation for an event. While versatile, diversifying with synonyms like "unsurprised" or "slightly expected" can enrich your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsurprised

Direct synonym implying a lack of surprise.

not very surprised

Indicates a low degree of surprise.

slightly expected

Highlights the expectation of an event.

somewhat anticipated

Similar to 'slightly expected' but more formal.

hardly shocked

Emphasizes the lack of shock experienced.

not exactly shocked

More emphatic way to point out missing shock

not in the least surprised

Emphasizes the complete absence of surprise.

already knew it would happen

Highlights prior knowledge and anticipation of an event.

saw it coming

Informal way to express anticipation of an event.

was expecting that

Simple statement indicating prior anticipation.

FAQs

How can I use "not so surprised" in a sentence?

You can use "not so surprised" to express a lack of astonishment. For example: "I was "not so surprised" when the underdog team won the championship."

What can I say instead of "not so surprised"?

You can use alternatives like "unsurprised", "not very surprised", or "slightly expected" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am not so surprised"?

Yes, "I am not so surprised" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express a mild lack of surprise. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples.

What's the difference between "not so surprised" and "not surprised"?

"Not so surprised" implies a lesser degree of surprise than simply "not surprised". The addition of "so" softens the statement, suggesting a mild expectation or premonition.