anything went wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anything went wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to inquire if there were any issues or problems that occurred during a process or event. Example: "Before we finalize the report, I want to check if anything went wrong during the data collection phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If anything went wrong, it could ruin the event.

The New York Times

If anything went wrong, he would take the blame personally".

The Guardian - Tech

"I don't know if anything went wrong," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

The state has not divulged whether anything went wrong with the lethal injection process.

Independent

Yet when Emily asks him if anything went wrong he replies only, "Sold out".

The New Yorker

Traders loved Mr. Frost's deals because they would pay out quickly if anything went wrong.

The New York Times

Whenever anything went wrong, he sent out his white office manager to deal with the contractors.

The New Yorker

In an interview on Friday, Mr. Nides said, "I don't think anything went wrong".

The New York Times

The well-connected bankers knew they'd get bailed out if anything went wrong.

The New York Times

It was nice to know he'd be there if anything went wrong.

The Guardian

That way, the officer would still be near the premises if anything went wrong.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "anything went wrong" in questions, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify the process or situation you're inquiring about: "Did anything go wrong with the presentation today?"

Common error

Avoid using "anything went wrong" as a blanket inquiry without context. It can lead to vague responses. Instead, be specific about what you're asking about, as it helps to pinpoint the exact issues: for example prefer "Did anything go wrong during the experiment?" to "Did anything go wrong?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anything went wrong" functions as an interrogative clause used to inquire about potential problems or errors. Ludwig AI's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from technical issues to general event outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "anything went wrong" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to inquire about potential problems or failures. As Ludwig AI confirms, this versatile phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and business contexts. While neutrally formal, it's crucial to provide specific context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "were there any problems?" or "did something go amiss?". Remember to specify the subject in question to narrow down issues and prevent vague responses. With its widespread use, understanding the nuances of "anything went wrong" is essential for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did something go wrong

Focuses on a specific, undefined action that might have caused an issue.

did anything go amiss

Replaces "wrong" with "amiss", suggesting something is out of place.

were there any problems

Uses a broader term "problems" instead of specifying something going "wrong".

were there any issues

Similar to 'any problems', but 'issues' might imply less severe concerns.

did something happen

More general, inquiring about any occurrence rather than specifically a problem.

was there a complication

Focuses on whether something complex or intricate occurred.

did it fail in any way

Asks specifically about failure, rather than general issues.

did it malfunction at all

Specifically refers to a system or device not working correctly.

were there any setbacks

Implies a temporary delay or reversal in progress.

did any errors occur

Focuses specifically on the occurrence of mistakes or inaccuracies.

FAQs

How can I use "anything went wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "anything went wrong" to inquire about potential problems or failures in a specific situation. For example, "Before we finalize the report, I want to check if "anything went wrong" during the data collection phase."

What is a more formal alternative to "anything went wrong"?

In a more formal setting, you might ask "Were there any complications?" or "Did any issues arise?" rather than the more casual ""anything went wrong"".

Is "anything go wrong" grammatically correct?

No, "anything go wrong" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is ""anything went wrong"", using the past tense of 'go'.

What's the difference between "something went wrong" and "anything went wrong"?

"Something went wrong" implies that you suspect an issue occurred, whereas ""anything went wrong"" is a more general inquiry, not necessarily assuming a problem exists. For example, you can ask "I suspect "something went wrong" with the engine", or "Did "anything went wrong" with your car today?".