not surprising

USAGE SUMMARY

"not surprising" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something would be expected or expected based on prior knowledge. For example: "The outcome of the election was not surprising, given the popularity of the candidate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Not surprising.

The New York Times

Perhaps that's not surprising.

The New Yorker

But not surprising.

The New York Times

Well, that's not surprising.

The New York Times

But that's not surprising.

The New York Times

That was not surprising.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

This wasn't surprising.

The New York Times

This isn't surprising.

The New York Times - Books

That wasn't surprising.

The New Yorker

Such access isn't surprising.

The New York Times - Books

Other scores aren't surprising.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not surprising" to express a lack of astonishment when something aligns with prior expectations or known patterns. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While acceptable, "not surprising" can sometimes sound understated in highly formal or academic writing. Consider stronger alternatives like "predictable" or "unsurprising" for a more impactful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not surprising" functions as a commentary adjective phrase, expressing a lack of astonishment or expectation of a particular outcome. Ludwig's examples show its use across various domains to indicate something aligns with prior expectations. Ludwig AI confirms that it is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not surprising" is a versatile commentary adjective phrase used to express a lack of astonishment or expectation regarding an outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is appropriate in the English language. Its prevalence in news and media, as shown by Ludwig's examples, indicates its suitability for neutral contexts, while more formal options may be preferred in academic settings. When writing, consider the context to decide if a stronger alternative such as "predictable" would be a better fit. Overall, "not surprising" is a reliable phrase for conveying that something aligns with expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsurprising

A more concise synonym, directly stating the lack of surprise.

predictable

Focuses on the expected nature of the event or situation.

to be expected

Highlights that the outcome aligns with anticipation.

hardly shocking

Emphasizes the absence of any significant shock or surprise.

it figures

An informal way of expressing that something is consistent with expectations, often with a hint of resignation.

as anticipated

Formally indicates that events unfolded according to predictions.

no great surprise

Understates the level of surprise, suggesting it was minimal.

not unexpected

States that something was within the realm of possibility.

foreseeable

Highlights the ability to have seen something coming in advance.

it was bound to happen

Expresses a sense of inevitability regarding the outcome.

FAQs

What does "not surprising" mean?

The phrase "not surprising" means something is expected or aligns with previous knowledge, making it predictable. It expresses a lack of astonishment at an outcome.

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

You can use "not surprising" to comment on an event or situation, such as: "The company's increased profits were "not surprising", given their innovative product line."

What can I say instead of "not surprising"?

You can use alternatives like "predictable", "unsurprising", or "to be expected" depending on the context.

Is "not surprising" formal or informal?

"Not surprising" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "foreseeable" or "as anticipated" may be preferred in highly formal writing.