had gone wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had gone wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has failed or not proceeded as intended, often in a past context. Example: "After reviewing the project, it was clear that something had gone wrong during the implementation phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

What had gone wrong?

Yale University

Something had gone wrong.

The Economist

But something had gone wrong.

The New Yorker

Was that what had gone wrong?

The New Yorker

"I'd think that something had gone wrong".

The New York Times - Books

What had gone wrong at that company?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

ReprintsWhat has gone wrong?

The Economist

So what has gone wrong?

Independent

Presidents have gone wrong frequently.

Yale University

Much has gone wrong.

The Washington Post

They know where they have gone wrong.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had gone wrong" to clearly indicate a past event that deviated from its intended course or resulted in a negative outcome. Ensure the context provides clarity on what was expected versus what actually happened.

Common error

Avoid using "has gone wrong" when referring to a specific event that concluded in the past. "Had gone wrong" correctly places the error in the past relative to another past event or time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had gone wrong" functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating that an action or event deviated from the expected or desired outcome at a point in the past prior to another past event or time. Ludwig's examples show it describing errors, failures, or problems that occurred before a specific context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had gone wrong" is a versatile phrase used to describe a past event that deviated from its intended course. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and business writing. Its primary function is to explain the reasons for a negative outcome or situation. By using "had gone wrong", writers can effectively communicate past errors and their consequences, providing clarity and understanding to their audience. Remember to consider the tense and context to ensure correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

went awry

A more concise way of saying something went wrong, implying a deviation from the expected course.

gone amiss

Similar to "went awry", but perhaps suggesting a slightly more subtle or less serious issue.

gone sour

Implies a negative turn of events, often in relationships or situations that were initially positive.

turned sour

Focuses on the process of becoming negative or undesirable.

gone bad

A general way to indicate something has deteriorated or become undesirable, applicable in various contexts.

taken a turn for the worse

Suggests a significant decline or worsening of a situation.

fallen apart

Indicates a complete failure or disintegration of something.

crumbled

Similar to "fallen apart", but often used in contexts involving structures, plans, or systems.

failed

A straightforward way to express a lack of success or achievement of a desired outcome.

misfired

Suggests a plan or attempt that did not achieve its intended effect, often implying a technical or strategic error.

FAQs

How can I use "had gone wrong" in a sentence?

Use "had gone wrong" to describe a past situation that didn't proceed as expected. For example, "The experiment failed because something "had gone wrong" during the setup."

What are some alternatives to "had gone wrong"?

Alternatives include "went awry", "gone amiss", or "taken a turn for the worse", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "has gone wrong" instead of "had gone wrong"?

"Has gone wrong" implies a present perfect tense, indicating something went wrong recently and is still relevant. "Had gone wrong" is past perfect, indicating something "had gone wrong" before another past event. Choose the tense based on the timeline of events.

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

"Something went wrong" describes a past event. "Something "had gone wrong"" describes an event that occurred earlier in the past, often affecting a subsequent event. The latter provides a sense of sequence and cause.