was not surprised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not surprised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of not being taken aback or shocked in response to something. For example: "When he won the award, John was not surprised; he had worked hard to achieve that goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jardine was not surprised.

The New York Times - Sports

Saltalamacchia was not surprised.

The New York Times - Sports

I was not surprised.

The New Yorker

Mickelson was not surprised.

The New York Times - Sports

Lockbaum was not surprised.

The New York Times

He was not surprised.

The New Yorker

Ms. Minnelli was not surprised.

The New York Times

But I was not surprised.

The New York Times

Brodhead probably was not surprised.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Close was not surprised.

The New York Times - Arts

But he was not surprised.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "was not surprised", consider adding context to explain why there was no surprise. For instance, "He was not surprised by the market crash, given the preceding economic instability" provides a clearer and more informative statement.

Common error

Avoid using "was not surprised" when a more active construction would be clearer. Instead of "The mistake was not surprised by anyone", rewrite as "No one was surprised by the mistake" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not surprised" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject's state of mind. It indicates a lack of astonishment or unexpectedness regarding a particular event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was not surprised" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a lack of astonishment or unexpectedness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most frequently found in News & Media contexts and carries a neutral tone suitable for diverse writing styles. Alternatives like ""was unsurprised"", ""had expected it"", and ""saw it coming"" offer nuanced ways to convey a similar meaning. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by providing context for the lack of surprise and avoid passive constructions for a more impactful statement. "Was not surprised" is a versatile phrase, and mastering its usage will enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unsurprised

A more formal synonym, directly negating "surprised".

wasn't astonished

Replaces "surprised" with "astonished", maintaining a similar meaning of not being greatly amazed.

wasn't shocked

Substitutes "surprised" with "shocked", implying a lack of sudden and intense emotional reaction.

wasn't taken aback

Replaces "surprised" with "taken aback", indicating a lack of being startled or disconcerted.

had anticipated it

Indicates a prior expectation, removing any element of surprise.

had expected it

Similar to anticipating, but with a slightly less proactive sense of prediction.

saw it coming

An idiomatic expression indicating a clear expectation of an event.

knew it would happen

Highlights certainty about the outcome, eliminating any potential for surprise.

found it predictable

Emphasizes the ease with which the outcome could have been foreseen.

it was foreseeable

Focuses on the inherent predictability of the event, making surprise illogical.

FAQs

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

You can use "was not surprised" to express a lack of astonishment about something, for example, "She "was not surprised" when it rained, since the forecast predicted it."

What are some alternatives to saying "was not surprised"?

Alternatives include "was unsurprised", "had expected it", or "saw it coming", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "was not surprised" and "unsurprised"?

"Was not surprised" is a more common and slightly less formal way to express the same meaning as the more concise "unsurprised".

Which is correct, "I was not surprised" or "I weren't surprised"?

"I was not surprised" is the grammatically correct form. "I weren't surprised" is incorrect because "weren't" is not the correct past tense form of "to be" to use with "I".