[General] What does 'I can't say I am surprised' mean?

[straw_1212]

Hi there,

I m so confused with the sentence 'I can't say i am surprised.' Does it mean 'I am surprised' or 'I am NOT surprised'? :roll:

Thank you in advance!

 

[bhaisahab]

Hi there,

I'm so confused with the sentence 'I can't say I am surprised.' Does it mean 'I am surprised' or 'I am NOT surprised'? :roll:

Thank you in advance!

It means "I am not surprised".

 

[strangerinmoscow]

It's a facetious way of saying that someone is not surprised.

Native speaker, but not a teacher.

 

[straw_1212]

Great thanks to both of you!

 

[TheParser]

Hi there,

I m so confused with the sentence 'I can't say i am surprised.' Does it mean 'I am surprised' or 'I am NOT surprised'? :roll:

Thank you in advance!

***** A NON-TEACHER's COMMENT *****


Martha: What's wrong?

Joe: The principal (headmaster/headteacher) has kicked me out of

school (expelled me).

Martha: Well, I cannot say that I am surprised that the school has

expelled you.

Joe: Why can you not say that you are surprised (that the school

has expelled me)?

Martha: Because you are always causing trouble. I knew that one

day you would get kicked out. So it is no surprise to me.


Respectfully yours,


James