nothing surprising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nothing surprising" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is expected or not unexpected in a given context. Example: "Given the recent events, the outcome of the election was nothing surprising."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nothing surprising there.

Independent

Nothing surprising.

City, Territory and Architecture

She says nothing surprising.

Huffington Post

He says nothing surprising.

Huffington Post

Nothing surprising about that.

The New York Times - Magazine

There's nothing surprising".

The New York Times

There's nothing surprising in this.

The New York Times

"There was nothing surprising about the surgery.

The New York Times - Sports

There is nothing surprising in this analysis.

The Economist

Nothing surprising happens on "The Deep End".

The New York Times - Arts

There's nothing surprising about this stark contrast.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nothing surprising" to succinctly convey the absence of astonishment or unexpectedness, especially when discussing predictable events or outcomes. This phrase works well to maintain a neutral and objective tone.

Common error

Avoid using "nothing surprising" excessively in highly formal or academic writing, as it can sometimes come across as dismissive. Opt for more nuanced alternatives like "not unexpected" or "entirely anticipated" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nothing surprising" functions as a statement of lack of astonishment or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to communicate that something was anticipated and therefore doesn't cause surprise. This is supported by examples where events or outcomes are presented as predictable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nothing surprising" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, employed to express a lack of astonishment or expectation regarding an event or outcome. As noted by Ludwig AI, its usage is straightforward, indicating predictability. While versatile, it is most commonly found in news articles and general discussions. When a more formal tone is needed, consider using alternatives such as "not unexpected" or "entirely anticipated". The phrase effectively signals that an event aligns with pre-existing expectations, and doesn't require further consideration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsurprisingly

Adverb form conveying the same lack of surprise, but as a modifier.

as expected

A concise way to state that the event happened according to expectations.

not unexpected

Uses a double negative to express the lack of surprise in a more formal tone.

entirely anticipated

Highlights that the event was fully foreseen, leaving no room for surprise.

it was to be expected

Formal way to express lack of surprise due to prior conditions.

hardly shocking

Emphasizes the lack of shock or astonishment associated with the event.

just as I thought

Expresses confirmation of a prior belief, eliminating surprise.

predictable outcome

Focuses on the predictability of the result, implying no surprise.

no cause for alarm

Indicates that the situation does not warrant any surprise or concern.

nothing to write home about

Expresses that it was a standard outcome and of little excitement.

FAQs

How can I use "nothing surprising" in a sentence?

You can use "nothing surprising" to indicate that an event or outcome was expected. For example, "Given the circumstances, the company's bankruptcy was "nothing surprising"".

What are some alternatives to "nothing surprising"?

Alternatives include "not unexpected", "unsurprisingly", or "predictable". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is "nothing surprising" formal or informal?

"Nothing surprising" is generally considered neutral, suitable for both informal and news contexts. However, in formal academic or business settings, consider using "less surprising" or "not unexpected" for a more professional tone.

Can "nothing surprising" be used in negative contexts?

Yes, "nothing surprising" can be used in negative contexts to indicate that a negative outcome was expected or predictable. For instance, "The increase in unemployment was "nothing surprising" given the economic downturn."