not unexpectedly

USAGE SUMMARY

"not unexpectedly" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It usually follows a statement to add emphasis that the outcome was unsurprising. For example: Despite the difficult conditions, the team achieved the goal, not unexpectedly.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not unexpectedly, he received those assurances.

Independent

Web visitation, not unexpectedly, correlates with age.

MIT Technology Review

Not unexpectedly, the vision's center is Turkey.

The New York Times

The caller, not unexpectedly, was a journalist.

The Guardian - Books

Nielsen, not unexpectedly, also differs with NBC.

The New York Times

Not unexpectedly, no progress has been made.

The Guardian - Opinion

Otherwise, and not unexpectedly, much has changed.

The New York Times - Sports

Not unexpectedly, however, this effect was only short lived.

Hepatology Research

Some people, not unexpectedly perhaps, fantasise about celebrities.

The Economist

Markets are getting a bit nervous, not unexpectedly.

The Economist

Not unexpectedly, the film is banned in Myanmar.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not unexpectedly" to subtly emphasize that an outcome aligns with prior assumptions or knowledge, adding a layer of understanding to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "not unexpectedly" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Vary your phrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not unexpectedly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which an event occurred. It conveys that the event happened in a way that was not surprising, aligning with prior expectations. This is supported by Ludwig, which showcases its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

39%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not unexpectedly" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to emphasize the predictability of an outcome. Ludwig confirms that it's widely used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia, as well as formal and informal writing. While highly versatile, it's essential to avoid overuse and vary your phrasing to maintain reader engagement. Alternatives such as "unsurprisingly", "as expected", and "predictably" offer similar meanings. The phrase serves to subtly reinforce existing expectations and understandings, adding a layer of understanding that contributes towards a more comprehensive piece of writing. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates that the phrase adds emphasis that the outcome was unsurprising.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsurprisingly

Direct synonym; replaces the negated expectation with a positive statement of lack of surprise.

as expected

Replaces the negative anticipation with a straightforward affirmation of what was predicted.

predictably

Highlights the predictability of the event, removing the element of surprise.

inevitably

Emphasizes the unavoidable nature of the outcome, implying that it was bound to happen.

naturally

Suggests that the outcome was a logical or inherent consequence of the situation.

it was foreseeable that

More formal phrasing emphasizing the ability to have seen the outcome in advance.

as one might anticipate

Highlights what a person would have foreseen.

hardly surprisingly

Emphasizes the minimal level of surprise associated with the event.

it comes as no surprise that

Expresses that the event is something entirely expected.

by no great coincidence

Less direct, implying the event was intended or arranged, but that it wasn't shocking that it unfolded.

FAQs

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

"Not unexpectedly" is typically used to introduce a statement that aligns with prior expectations. For instance, "Not unexpectedly, the film is banned in Myanmar."

What are some alternatives to "not unexpectedly"?

Alternatives include "unsurprisingly", "as expected", or "predictably", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "not unexpectedly" and "unsurprisingly"?

While both indicate a lack of surprise, "not unexpectedly" can sometimes imply a slight acknowledgment of potential alternative outcomes, whereas "unsurprisingly" is a more direct statement of the expected outcome.

Is it redundant to say "not unexpectedly"?

While "not unexpectedly" can sometimes seem wordy, it effectively emphasizes the lack of surprise. However, consider whether a more concise alternative like "predictably" would be more suitable for your writing.