amiss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "amiss" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is wrong, out of place, or not as it should be. Example: "There seems to be something amiss with the calculations in this report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Walking down Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street late on Friday evening, the casual observer would find little amiss; not much to suggest that Moscow's trajectory over recent years, of broader consumer options and improving quality of life for the new urban middle class, was not continuing as before.

The Guardian

I'm not saying you have to put a rose on the table, or light candles, but a rib-eye steak and some dauphinoise potatoes don't go amiss.

The Guardian

Not everyone will agree with Bilmes that high-performing companies always "see their people as treasures, not as costs", but a bit more of that attitude in the public sector wouldn't go amiss.

The Guardian

I should have noticed something was amiss, but I admired Joy and was pleased to spend time with her.

The Guardian

To the outside world, said Lorlene, there must be nothing amiss.

The Guardian - Travel

However, when things take a downturn, instead of opting for the gamble of a mid-season sacking or ending up at the mercy of a predictable end-of-term managerial merry-go-round, maybe a bit of increased effort in support from the club's side wouldn't go amiss?

The Guardian - Sport

The numbers certainly suggest that something is amiss.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Even more worrisome for those who place their faith in America's huge, liquid and sophisticated capital markets is that none of those outsiders paid to monitor Enron whether their auditors, their bankers, equity analysts, credit-rating agencies or regulators alerted anyone that something was amiss, until it was far too late.

The Economist

A certain amount of fraud is inevitable, so the firm did not notice at first that anything was amiss, explains Chizu Sasaki of Yahoo!

The Economist

Obviously, the data were showing something amiss and were dismissed far too quickly.

The Economist

Don't take the following analogy amiss: he is of course a decent man.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "amiss" to subtly suggest something is wrong without being overly direct. This can be particularly useful in formal or professional settings where tact is important.

Common error

Avoid using "amiss" in situations that require a direct accusation. The word is better suited for hinting at irregularities rather than making explicit claims of wrongdoing.

Linguistic Context

The word "amiss" functions primarily as an adjective or adverb, indicating that something is out of order, wrong, or inappropriate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is typically used to suggest that something is not as it should be. Examples show it describing situations where something is suspected to be wrong.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "amiss" is a versatile adjective or adverb used to indicate that something is not as it should be, suggesting a potential problem or irregularity. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage in English writing, primarily in neutral to formal registers such as news and media. Common contexts include professional settings, where tact and subtlety are valued. When using "amiss", it's important to ensure that the context is appropriate, avoiding direct accusations and instead hinting at potential issues. Alternatives like "out of order" or "not right" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and directness. "Amiss" is widely employed, with a high frequency in authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian, solidifying its position as a valuable term for expressing concern or suspicion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amiss

It indicates that something is not quite right or as it should be.

out of order

Focuses on the functional aspect of something being incorrect or malfunctioning.

not right

A more general and less formal way to indicate that something is wrong.

gone wrong

Emphasizes that something has deviated from its intended or correct state.

awry

Suggests a deviation from the expected course or plan.

out of kilter

Implies that something is unbalanced or not in harmony.

something's fishy

An informal expression suggesting that something is suspicious or questionable.

not up to par

Suggests that something does not meet the required or expected standard.

defective

Focuses on something broken or not working correctly, implying a fault or defect.

faulty

Similar to defective, indicating that something has flaws or imperfections.

FAQs

How to use "amiss" in a sentence?

You can use "amiss" to indicate that something is wrong or not as it should be. For example, "I suspect something is "amiss" with the accounts".

What can I say instead of "amiss"?

You can use alternatives like "out of order", "not right", or "gone wrong" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "something is amiss" or "something is amisses"?

"Something is "amiss"" is correct. "Amiss" is not a plural noun and does not take an 's' in this context.

What's the difference between "amiss" and "wrong"?

"Amiss" often suggests a subtle or suspected problem, while "wrong" is a more direct and general term for something incorrect or inappropriate. "Something is "amiss"" implies a sense of unease or suspicion; "something is wrong" is a more straightforward statement of fact.