Cool MateExpected vs Not surprised
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Expected
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adjective
Not surprised
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Expected
| Expected | Not surprised | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈspektɪd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈspektɪd/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //nɒt səˈpraɪzd//🇺🇸 //nɑt səˈpraɪzd// |
| Meaning | thought to happen or arrive | feeling that something is expected and normal |
| Example | Double the expected number of people came to the meeting. | When I heard the news, I was not surprised at all. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | expected results, expected outcome, expected arrival, expected behavior | not surprised at all, not surprised by, was not surprised, not surprised when, I am not surprised |
| Antonyms | unexpected, unforeseen | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'expecting' when referring to future actions., Using it incorrectly in the past tense as 'expecteded'. | Using 'not surprised' when you should say 'not surprising'., Confusion with 'surprised' as an adjective instead of the phrase., Inappropriate use in overly formal contexts. |
| Usage notes | Used to express what is likely or anticipated. Appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, especially for formal plans or predictions. | Use this phrase to express that you are not shocked by a situation. It fits well in everyday conversations but might seem too casual in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Expected vs Not surprised
What's the difference between Expected and Not surprised?
Expected: thought to happen or arrive Not surprised: feeling that something is expected and normal
Which is more common: Expected and Not surprised?
Expected is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Expected: Double the expected number of people came to the meeting. Not surprised: When I heard the news, I was not surprised at all.
Can I use Expected and Not surprised interchangeably?
Not always. Expected and Not surprised 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.