small wonder that

USAGE SUMMARY

"small wonder that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is not surprising or unexpected. An example of this phrase being used in a sentence is: "Small wonder that she couldn't finish her essay on time, given the amount of distractions in her house." In this sentence, the speaker is expressing that it is not surprising that the person was unable to finish their essay on time, given the circumstances.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

No small wonder, that.

The New York Times - Books

Small wonder that so many people continue to visit.

The Guardian - Books

Small wonder that Eunice avoided their boisterous competitiveness.

The Guardian

Small wonder that Republicans want to claim the small business mantle for their own.

The New York Times

Small wonder that F.B.I.

The New York Times

Small wonder that turnover is high.

The New York Times

Small wonder that chemical makers counterattacked.

The New York Times

Small wonder that Americans are confident again.

The New York Times

Small wonder that translations are not perfect.

The New York Times - Tech

Small wonder that it ends up beneath the waves.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

(Small wonder that Bristol was dubstep's second city).

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small wonder that" to smoothly introduce a logical consequence or expected outcome in your writing. This adds a touch of understated emphasis.

Common error

While grammatically correct, avoid using "small wonder that" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more direct and sophisticated connectors to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small wonder that" functions as a causal connector, linking a cause or situation with its predictable or unsurprising result. Ludwig AI confirms this usage. It serves to introduce a consequence that logically follows from the preceding statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Small wonder that" is a causal connector phrase commonly used to indicate a lack of surprise, introducing an expected outcome or logical consequence. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and its predominant usage in news and media. While versatile, it's important to consider the context, favoring more formal alternatives like "consequently" in academic writing. As a whole, the phrase is useful in everyday language and journalism to connect events with their foreseeable results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's no wonder that

Uses a more emphatic tone, suggesting something is entirely expected.

little surprise that

Replaces "wonder" with "surprise", slightly altering the emphasis but maintaining the core meaning.

hardly surprising that

Highlights that the event was predictable.

no surprise that

Emphasizes the lack of surprise more directly.

it's not surprising that

Expresses the lack of surprise in a more explicit and descriptive way.

unsurprisingly

Conveys the meaning in a single adverb, making the sentence more concise.

it was to be expected that

Focuses on the predictability of the situation.

predictably

Emphasizes the foreseeable nature of the outcome.

naturally

Indicates that an event is a logical and predictable consequence.

it stands to reason that

Highlights that the outcome is logical and predictable, given the circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "small wonder that" in a sentence?

"Small wonder that" introduces a result that is logical or expected, based on preceding information. For example, "The company invested heavily in research; "small wonder that" it leads the industry in innovation."

What's a more formal alternative to "small wonder that"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "it is not surprising that", "it is to be expected that", or "consequently". These options offer a more professional tone than "small wonder that".

Is "small wonder that" interchangeable with "no wonder that"?

Yes, "small wonder that" and "no wonder that" are largely interchangeable. Both express a lack of surprise. "No wonder that" might be slightly more emphatic, but the difference is minimal.

Can "small wonder that" be used in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "small wonder that" is better suited for less formal academic writing. For formal academic papers, choose alternatives like "consequently" or "therefore".