unsurprisingly

unsurprisingly — adverb

1. used to say that something happens exactly as you would expect, so it causes no

1.adverbB2
Definition

used to say that something happens exactly as you would expect, so it causes no surprise

Example

Selim arrived late again, and unsurprisingly, the manager was not pleased.

sentence adverb between commas

Eve had studied all weekend, so unsurprisingly she passed the exam with top marks.

cause + 'so unsurprisingly' + expected result

Synonyms
  • predictably

    More neutral in tone; 'unsurprisingly' emphasises that the speaker already expected the outcome

Antonyms
  • surprisingly

    Direct opposite — used when something is unexpected

Grammar Patterns

unsurprisingly + comma + [main clause]

[cause], so unsurprisingly + [result]

Usage Note

Used as a sentence adverb, typically placed at the start of a clause with a comma, or after 'so'/'and' to connect a predictable result to its cause.

Common Mistakes

Unsurprisingly he arrived late.' (no comma after sentence adverb).
Unsurprisingly, he arrived late.
When 'unsurprisingly' begins a sentence, it is usually followed by a comma.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All three adverbs signal that a result fits a prior pattern, but they differ in emphasis. 'Unsurprisingly' stresses that the outcome matches what the speaker expected based on prior knowledge. 'Predictably' is more neutral and focuses on the outcome following a known cause or pattern. 'Understandably' adds empathy — it says the result is reasonable given the circumstances, not just expected. 'Inevitably' is stronger, suggesting the outcome was unavoidable regardless of expectation. For example: 'Unsurprisingly, the oldest child took charge' (expected based on character); 'Understandably, she was upset after losing her job' (a reasonable reaction).

predictably ↗understandably ↗inevitably ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • unsurprisingly + comma
  • so unsurprisingly
  • and unsurprisingly
  • not unsurprisingly

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Formed from the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') added to 'surprisingly', which itself comes from 'surprising' + the adverbial suffix '-ly'. 'Surprise' entered English from Old French 'surprendre' (to overtake, seize), from Latin 'superprehendere' (super 'over' + prehendere 'to seize').