awry

USAGE SUMMARY

"awry" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that means 'amiss' or 'out of place'. For example, "The plan quickly went awry when our main supplier was unable to meet our demands".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But in Egypt, even the best urban plans have tended to go awry.

The Guardian

The story could easily have gone awry but never belly-flops into sentimentality – its feelgood factor is earned.

The Guardian - Film

In Redmayne's award-winning performance, there are subtle hints that something was awry from the off.

The Guardian

Co-written by Jamie-Lynn Spears (sister of Britney), the wistful ballad looks back on a high-school relationship that burned hot and then went awry.

The Guardian - Music

The venue was a dinner party at which both were ­subject to a piece of matchmaking gone awry (it sounds, as Reid describes it, like something from Jane Austen's Emma).

The Guardian - Books

Fair enough, but then we get a clue as to how and why things are going to go awry this time around.

The Guardian - Film

Way back in 1964, Reginald Maudling produced a budget that was based on the assumption of a spring election, but prime minister Sir Alec Douglas Home decided to delay until autumn, and Maudling's "short-term plan" went awry.

The Guardian - Business

Take, for example, my beloved Holloway Road in Islington, north London, where there is a glaring example of urban "planning" gone awry.

The Guardian

Hormuz has been trying to get in on the riches of the free trade zone, Ali says, but each time the plan has gone awry.

The Guardian

It was only when Jak gave her a cardboard box and deposited her outside an office building telling her to deliver it to a man on the top floor that she began to suspect something was awry: "I remember shaking and stumbling up the stairs, because something felt odd".

The Guardian

"We've all got different cheese radars, so sometimes we employ a veto system and that stops thing going awry".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "awry" to describe plans, expectations, or systems that have deviated from their intended course or outcome. It often implies a negative consequence or unexpected result.

Common error

Avoid using "awry" to describe something that is merely different or unusual. "Awry" suggests a deviation from a standard or expected state, not simply a variation.

Linguistic Context

The word "awry" primarily functions as an adverb or adjective. It describes something that has deviated from its intended course or is out of its correct position, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples. Ludwig AI also confirms that the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "awry" is a versatile word primarily functioning as an adjective or adverb to describe deviations from expected courses or states. As supported by Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct and frequently used. Its usage spans from news and media to formal business contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When writing, ensure that "awry" is used to indicate a deviation from a standard or expected state, not merely a variation. For similar expressions, consider alternatives such as "gone wrong" or "amiss".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amiss

This alternative provides a more concise way to express that something is not quite right or is out of order.

gone amiss

This alternative directly replaces "awry" with a phrase indicating something has gone wrong or improperly.

gone wrong

This alternative replaces "awry" with a simple and direct phrase indicating a failure or problem.

gone sideways

This alternative conveys a sense of deviation from the intended path or plan.

not as planned

This alternative emphasizes the failure to adhere to a predetermined course of action.

out of kilter

This alternative uses a more idiomatic expression to convey that something is not in its proper state or alignment.

gone off track

This alternative uses a metaphor to describe something that has veered away from its intended course.

askew

This alternative focuses on the physical aspect of being crooked or not in a straight line.

deviated from the norm

This alternative uses a more formal tone to describe a departure from the standard or expected behavior.

taken a turn for the worse

This alternative focuses on the negative consequences of a situation that has gone "awry".

FAQs

How can I use "awry" in a sentence?

You can use "awry" to describe situations or plans that have gone wrong or deviated from the expected course. For example, "The project went "awry" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What's a simpler way to say something has gone "awry"?

Alternatives to "awry" include phrases like "gone wrong", "gone amiss", or "gone off track", which are often more straightforward.

Is "awry" formal or informal?

"Awry" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it tends to be more common in writing or slightly more elevated speech.

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

While both "awry" and "amiss" suggest something is wrong, "awry" typically describes a situation or plan that has deviated from its intended course, whereas "amiss" is a more general term for something being out of order or not quite right.