assuming nothing goes wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assuming nothing goes wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a plan or expectation that relies on everything proceeding smoothly without any issues. Example: "The project should be completed by Friday, assuming nothing goes wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And that's assuming nothing goes wrong.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If the embryo were allowed to keep growing, and was then implanted into a woman, it would — presumably, and assuming nothing went wrong — grow into a baby.

The New York Times

Assuming nothing goes too wrong.

The Washington Post

And that's assuming that nothing goes wrong -- no recession, no military emergency.

The New York Times

"And that's if nothing goes wrong".

The New York Times

If you're lucky, nothing goes wrong.

The New York Times

In my life nothing goes wrong.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If nothing goes wrong, you won't".

The New York Times

If nothing goes wrong, there's no story.

The New Yorker

"A great job means nothing goes wrong," he said.

The New York Times

Mr Bush should be crossing his fingers that nothing goes wrong.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place the phrase at the end of a sentence for a more conversational tone, or at the beginning to set the conditional premise immediately.

Common error

Avoid mixing past and future tenses incorrectly. If you are discussing a future event, use the present tense "goes" (e.g., "We will arrive at 5:00, assuming nothing goes wrong"). Using "went" in a future context is a common slip that disrupts the conditional logic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assuming nothing goes wrong" functions as a conditional adjunct or a participial subordinator. It introduces a condition that must be met for the main clause's statement to hold true. According to Ludwig, it is categorized as a correct and highly usable expression in contemporary English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "assuming nothing goes wrong" is a vital linguistic tool for expressing conditional certainty. Analysis from Ludwig shows that it is favored by high-tier publications like The New York Times and The Guardian for its ability to temper expectations without undermining the speaker's authority. While alternatives like "if all goes well" offer a more positive spin, this phrase remains the standard for realistic, risk-aware communication. It is grammatically sound, widely recognized and highly recommended for use in both journalism and business planning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if all goes well

Uses a simpler conditional structure suitable for more casual or conversational contexts.

provided everything goes smoothly

Employs a more formal subordinator and emphasizes the lack of friction in the process.

barring any unforeseen complications

Specifically highlights the absence of unexpected problems, often used in technical or project management settings.

if no problems arise

A direct and functional alternative that focuses on the emergence of issues.

should things proceed as planned

A more formal inversion that emphasizes the adherence to a specific strategy.

supposing there are no hitches

Uses a more informal noun to describe minor interruptions.

given no setbacks occur

Focuses on progress and the absence of events that would reverse it.

pending any issues

More concise and commonly found in legal or bureaucratic status updates.

all things being equal

A broader idiomatic expression that assumes standard conditions without specifically mentioning failure.

with luck on our side

Introduces a nuance of chance or external fortune rather than purely technical success.

FAQs

How do I use "assuming nothing goes wrong" in a sentence?

You can use it to qualify a prediction, such as: "The system will be back online by noon, assuming nothing goes wrong."

What is a more formal way to say "assuming nothing goes wrong"?

You can use the phrase "provided everything goes smoothly" or "barring any unforeseen complications" for a more professional tone.

Is it correct to say "assuming nothing goes wrong" or "assuming nothing will go wrong"?

The present tense "goes" is the standard choice for this conditional phrase. While "will go" is occasionally seen, Ludwig AI indicates that the simple present is the preferred grammatical form in professional writing.

What is the difference between "if all goes well" and "assuming nothing goes wrong"?

The phrase "if all goes well" is more optimistic, focusing on a positive outcome, whereas "assuming nothing goes wrong" is slightly more cautious, explicitly acknowledging the possibility of failure.