[General] Formal Synonym or Phrasal Verb. Sadly but not surprisingly.

[sabajag]

Greetings!

I am writing a report and want to express the idea that the event was unfortunate but not surprising. I am using following formation of sentence: Sadly but not surprisingly. Would you mind to suggest any synonyms or other phrasesthat express the same idea?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Your sadly but not surprisingly is good, and I can't think of another phrase that means the same thing. Let's see what other folks come up with.

 

[emsr2d2]

There are other possible constructions but they're just variations on the original.

Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, ...
It's a shame, but/though not a surprise, that ...

 

[Tarheel]

We were shocked but not surprised.

We were saddened but not surprised.

It was not a surprise but unfortunate.

It was expected but unfortunate.