definitely amiss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definitely amiss" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is clearly wrong or not as it should be. Example: "There was definitely amiss with the project timeline, as we were falling behind schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

If you make it to the sanguinary close of one of Shakespeare's tragedies with nary an inward wince, for example, something is definitely amiss.

The New York Times

Though many of the youths were shocked by the confirmation of Danny's age, savvier youngsters discerned that something was definitely amiss early on.

The New York Times

Something is definitely amiss.

TechCrunch

Something's definitely amiss here.

Vice

After failing to get any of the eight jobs for which I recently had interviews, I decided that something was definitely amiss.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"There is definitely a perception that something is amiss with Google".

The New York Times

"Definitely, if you're not profitable by the third year, something is amiss," Carey said.

The New Yorker

Chances are your editor would be white ― and almost definitely not Native ― and wouldn't notice anything amiss about the depiction.

Huffington Post

Maria Edgeworth's Castle Rackrent is definitely a candidate in my book, and something of Sheridan Le Fanu's would not be amiss, if not Uncle Silas then Carmilla, mother of all vampires.

The Guardian - Books

Something is amiss here".

The New York Times

Something's amiss.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "definitely amiss" to express a strong sense that something is wrong or out of the ordinary. It's more emphatic than simply saying something is "amiss".

Common error

While "definitely amiss" is grammatically sound, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language to describe the problem or irregularity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitely amiss" functions as an intensifier (definitely) modifying an adjective (amiss). It describes a state or situation that is clearly not as it should be. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "definitely amiss" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to indicate that something is clearly wrong or out of place. Ludwig AI validates this usage, and the examples extracted show it is often used in News & Media contexts. While relatively infrequent, it can effectively convey a strong sense that something is not as it should be. Consider alternatives like "clearly wrong" or "obviously wrong" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly wrong

Focuses on the incorrectness of something, rather than a sense of something being out of place.

obviously wrong

Emphasizes that the issue is easily noticeable or apparent.

something's not right

A more general way to indicate that there is a problem or issue.

something's off

A colloquial way of saying that something seems unusual or not quite right.

something is awry

More formal and literary way of saying that something is out of order or not functioning correctly.

something is irregular

Highlights a deviation from the expected or normal state.

distinctly abnormal

Highlights that something is conspicuously not normal.

patently flawed

Emphasizes that there's a defect that's undeniably present.

undeniably problematic

Indicates that an issue cannot be disputed, and is creating problems.

assuredly faulty

Suggests a high degree of certainty about a failure or defect.

FAQs

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

You can use "definitely amiss" to express that something is clearly wrong or not as it should be. For example, "There was "definitely amiss" with the project timeline, as we were falling behind schedule."

What can I say instead of "definitely amiss"?

You can use alternatives like "clearly wrong", "obviously wrong", or "something's not right" depending on the context.

Is it more emphatic to say "definitely amiss" compared to just "amiss"?

Yes, adding "definitely" emphasizes the sense that something is wrong or out of the ordinary. It strengthens the assertion.

In what contexts is "definitely amiss" most appropriate?

"Definitely amiss" is suitable for situations where you want to express a clear and strong feeling that something is not as it should be. It is often used in contexts where something unexpected has occurred.