Cool MateDoesn't surprise me though vs I expected that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Doesn't surprise me though
I expected that
| Doesn't surprise me though | I expected that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈdʌzənt səˈpraɪz mi ðoʊ//🇺🇸 //ˈdʌzənt sərˈpraɪz mi ðoʊ// | 🇬🇧 //aɪ ɪkˈspɛktəd ðæt//🇺🇸 //aɪ ɪkˈspɛktəd ðæt// |
| Meaning | I expected this, so it's not surprising. | I thought something would happen. |
| Example | He scored poorly on the test, but that doesn't surprise me though. | I expected that the meeting would start on time. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | doesn't surprise me at all, it doesn't surprise me, doesn't surprise me that | expected that night, expected that situation, expected that outcome |
| Antonyms | Surprises me a lot, I'm shocked, That's unexpected | - |
| Common mistakes | Misplace the 'though' at the beginning of the sentence., Use 'doesn't surprise me' without 'though' in informal contexts., Confuse with 'doesn't surprise me that' which is more formal. | Incorrectly using 'expect' without 'that' when a clause follows., Using incorrect tenses after 'expected that'., Confusing 'expected that' with 'hoped that'. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase when reacting to unexpected news that you anticipated. Usually spoken informally among friends. | Use in statements about what you thought would occur. Suitable for everyday conversations and writing but avoid in very formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Doesn't surprise me though vs I expected that
What's the difference between Doesn't surprise me though and I expected that?
Doesn't surprise me though: I expected this, so it's not surprising. I expected that: I thought something would happen.
Which is more formal: Doesn't surprise me though and I expected that?
I expected that is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Doesn't surprise me though and I expected that?
I expected that is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Doesn't surprise me though: He scored poorly on the test, but that doesn't surprise me though. I expected that: I expected that the meeting would start on time.
Can I use Doesn't surprise me though and I expected that interchangeably?
Not always. Doesn't surprise me though and I expected that are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.