not surprised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not surprised" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a lack of astonishment or expectation regarding a situation or outcome. Example: "When I heard the news about the team's loss, I was not surprised given their recent performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not surprised".

The New Yorker

So I'm not surprised".

The Guardian - Opinion

Jardine was not surprised.

The New York Times - Sports

Saltalamacchia was not surprised.

The New York Times - Sports

"I am not surprised.

The New York Times

"But we're not surprised".

The New York Times - Sports

We are not surprised".

The New York Times

She is not surprised.

The New York Times

I was not surprised.

The New Yorker

"No, I'm not surprised.

The Guardian - Sport

Mickelson was not surprised.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not surprised" to convey a measured response, indicating that an event or information aligns with your expectations or understanding. It's suitable for situations where shock or strong emotional reactions would be inappropriate.

Common error

Avoid overusing "not surprised" as it can sometimes come across as dismissive or indifferent. Consider using more nuanced alternatives like "unsurprised", "expecting it", or specifying the reason for the lack of surprise to provide more context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not surprised" primarily functions as an adjective phrase expressing a state of mind or reaction (or lack thereof). According to Ludwig AI, this indicates that the speaker or subject did not experience surprise because the event or information was anticipated or expected. The phrase commonly modifies a subject, as seen in examples like "I am not surprised" or "She was not surprised."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not surprised" is a common and versatile expression used to convey a lack of astonishment or expectation regarding an event or piece of information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the context and potential implications, as overuse or inappropriate application can come across as dismissive. Alternatives like "unsurprised", "not shocked", or "as expected" may offer more nuanced ways to express a lack of surprise, depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsurprised

A direct synonym, emphasizing the absence of surprise but can sound slightly more formal or literary than "not surprised".

not shocked

Focuses on the lack of a strong emotional reaction, like shock, which might be appropriate when something negative was expected.

was expecting it

Directly states that one had anticipated the event, lacking any sense of astonishment.

unfazed

Implies a lack of disturbance or agitation, suggesting stronger emotional resilience than "not surprised".

as expected

Indicates that the outcome or event aligned with prior expectations or predictions.

could see it coming

Indicates that the event was perceived as inevitable based on the preceding circumstances.

predictable

Describes something that was easily foreseen, emphasizing the lack of novelty in the situation.

that figures

An informal expression implying the event is consistent with one's negative expectations or stereotypes.

foreseeable

Similar to predictable, but often used to highlight that reasonable anticipation was possible.

knew it all along

Implies a preemptive awareness and can sometimes carry a tone of self-satisfaction or vindication.

FAQs

What does "not surprised" mean?

The phrase "not surprised" indicates a lack of astonishment or shock regarding a piece of information or an event. It implies that the outcome was expected or anticipated.

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

You can use "not surprised" to express that something aligns with your expectations. For example, "I was "not surprised" when I heard the news, given the circumstances."

What can I say instead of "not surprised"?

You can use alternatives like "unsurprised", "not shocked", or "as expected" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "I am not surprised" or "I'm not surprised"?

Both "I am "not surprised"" and "I'm "not surprised"" are grammatically correct. The contracted form, "I'm", is more common in informal conversation and writing.