appeared amiss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appeared amiss" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something seems to be wrong or out of place. Example: "When I reviewed the report, several figures appeared amiss, prompting further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

She told Portland news station KGW that something had appeared amiss in the surveillance footage.

The Guardian

Nothing appeared amiss to the Columbia trainers, and he practiced for a week, limping around the field.

The New Yorker

To the naked eye, little appeared amiss.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Here in the capital, nothing appears amiss, he said.

The Guardian

If something appears amiss, especially if a pattern of such trades is turned up, the trail is followed.

The New York Times - Magazine

It seems to me that the economic profession is increasingly acknowledging that something appears amiss in the distribution of income.

The Economist

Some cybercriminals even fix the security flaws that allowed them to gain access to a computer network in the first place, like a burglar breaking a window and then replacing it before he leaves so nothing appears amiss.

Huffington Post

He declined to say what appeared to be amiss.

The New York Times

Mr Hockney said in a statement that he came downstairs at the five-bedroom house at midnight to make a cup of tea where he met his former long-term partner, John Fitzherbert, and his chief assistant Jean Pierre De Lima but nothing appeared to be amiss.

Independent

Plans for a day out the next day with members of her family were scuppered because of the bad weather but when her father-in-law later dropped off her one-year-old son, Phaedra, that Sunday afternoon in April to her house in Kent, nothing appeared to be amiss.

Independent

Did anything seem amiss?

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing observations, use "appeared amiss" to subtly suggest a problem without making a direct accusation. This is especially useful in formal reports or when presenting preliminary findings.

Common error

Avoid using "appeared amiss" in casual conversations; it sounds overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "seemed off" or "looked wrong" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appeared amiss" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its state. It indicates that something seemed to be wrong or out of order based on observation. Ludwig confirms this usage as standard and correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "appeared amiss" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to indicate that something seemed wrong or out of place. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and the phrase is found primarily in news and media contexts, with some presence in scientific writing. While it's a valid phrase, be mindful of the level of formality, as simpler alternatives might be more suitable for casual conversations. The most authoritative sources using the phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seemed amiss

A more concise and semantically identical phrase to "appeared amiss".

seemed off

A more general way of saying something didn't feel right.

seemed wrong

Focuses on the feeling or impression that something is incorrect.

looked suspicious

Highlights the aspect of raising doubt or mistrust.

seemed out of place

Emphasizes that something did not fit its surroundings or the situation.

appeared irregular

Suggests a deviation from the normal or expected pattern.

looked askew

Indicates something was not aligned or correct in appearance.

looked awry

Similar to "askew", indicating something was out of order or not as expected.

seemed fishy

Informal way of saying something seemed dishonest or questionable.

appeared questionable

Highlights that something raised doubts about its validity or appropriateness.

FAQs

What does "appeared amiss" mean?

The phrase "appeared amiss" means something seemed to be wrong or out of place. It suggests that based on initial observation, something was not as it should be.

How can I use "appeared amiss" in a sentence?

You can use "appeared amiss" to describe a situation where something doesn't seem right. For example: "When I reviewed the financial statements, several figures "seemed off"."

What are some alternatives to "appeared amiss"?

Alternatives to "appeared amiss" include "seemed wrong", "looked suspicious", or "seemed out of place", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more correct to say "seemed amiss" or "appeared amiss"?

Both "seemed amiss" and "appeared amiss" are grammatically correct and have virtually the same meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.