Is something amiss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Is something amiss" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you suspect that there is a problem or something is not right in a situation. Example: "When I walked into the room, I immediately felt that something was amiss; the atmosphere was tense and quiet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

There is something amiss in the European media and I fear it's going to start confusing the hell out of people.

TechCrunch

There is something amiss in this reasoning.

The New York Times - Magazine

As Pagels and King note, there is something amiss here.

The New York Times - Books

Clearly, there is something amiss, and history will judge the administration harshly.

The New York Times

But there is something amiss: look carefully and you'll notice the great leader smoking a cigarette.

The Guardian

If they are having difficulty reaching verdicts maybe there is something amiss.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Is there something amiss in their paperwork or explanations?

The New Yorker

From my vantage in the trenches of public higher education, I fear that there is something terribly amiss in the culture of our colleges and universities.

HuffPost

Related, in one location I noticed something amiss with the layout; in the first code block at the top of page 5, the printed output looks wrong here.

F1000Research

I'm tall so I have a lot of my dresses made, which I think can come off as a little stuffy so I always keep something amiss; a homemade up-do, a bra strap showing, or scuffed flats.

Huffington Post

There is something very much amiss!

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Is something amiss" when you want to express a sense that something is not quite right, but you're not sure what it is specifically. It's suitable for situations where you detect subtle cues that suggest a problem.

Common error

Avoid using "Is something amiss" as a substitute for direct questions like "What's wrong?" in situations where someone is clearly upset. It's more appropriate when the issue is less obvious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Is something amiss" functions primarily as an interrogative expression used to inquire whether there is a problem or something is not as it should be. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, ranging from news articles to personal blogs.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

28%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Is something amiss" is a versatile phrase used to inquire about potential problems or irregularities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, with examples spanning news, science, and general web content. The phrase serves to express concern or prompt investigation, fitting comfortably in neutral communication settings. If you're seeking alternative ways to phrase your concern, consider options like "Is something wrong?" or "Is there a problem?". Understanding when to use "Is something amiss" versus more direct questions can enhance the clarity and sensitivity of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Is something wrong?

More direct and general inquiry about a problem.

Is there a problem?

Another direct and common way to ask if something is wrong.

Does something seem off?

Informal way to ask if something doesn't feel right.

Do you sense something is not right?

Asks about a feeling or intuition that something is wrong.

Is there cause for concern?

More formal way of asking if there is a reason to worry.

Is something awry?

Uses a less common word, 'awry', to suggest something has gone wrong.

Do you suspect a problem?

Focuses on suspicion of a problem rather than a definite issue.

Is anything out of order?

Implies that something is not in its correct or expected state.

Is there a glitch?

Suggests a minor malfunction or error.

Is something the matter?

A classic and somewhat formal way of asking if someone is troubled.

FAQs

How can I use "Is something amiss" in a sentence?

You can use "Is something amiss" when you sense that there's a problem or something isn't right, even if it's not immediately obvious. For instance, "I walked into the office and immediately felt that "something was amiss"."

What's a more direct way to ask "Is something amiss"?

If you want to be more direct, you could ask "Is something wrong?" or "Is there a problem?". These options are straightforward and suitable for most situations.

When is it appropriate to use "Is something amiss" instead of "What's the matter"?

"Is something amiss" is better when you have a subtle feeling or suspicion, whereas "What's the matter?" is more appropriate when someone seems visibly upset or troubled. The former is less direct and implies a gentler inquiry.

What are some synonyms for "amiss" that I could use in place of "Is something amiss"?

Instead of "amiss", you could use synonyms like "awry", "off", or "out of order" to create variations of the phrase, such as "Is something awry?"