has gone awry

USAGE SUMMARY

"has gone awry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something has gone wrong, or a plan has gone off track. For example: "The project has gone awry and we haven't been able to make any progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the enterprise has gone awry.

The New York Times - Books

But this success story has gone awry.

The Guardian - Arts

On another level, however, it's clear something has gone awry.

The Economist

It is the editorial agenda that has gone awry.

The Guardian

Indeed, anonymous sourcing has gone awry at times.

The New York Times

Timing is everything in pop, and Santigold's has gone awry.

The Guardian - Music

"No one seriously doubts that the country's fiscal ledger has gone awry.

The New York Times

One discussion (among many) that has gone awry is the one on teacher evaluation.

The New York Times

But something has gone awry in Chris Carter's purgatorial theme park.

The New Yorker

These anxieties trace back to what has gone awry in the banks.

The Guardian - Opinion

Over the course of a year, her sense that something has gone awry intensifies.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add variety to your writing, alternate "has gone awry" with synonyms like "has gone wrong" or "has gone amiss", especially in longer texts. Remember that synonyms can subtly alter the tone or emphasis.

Common error

While "has gone awry" is widely accepted, it can sound overly formal or stilted in very casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "went wrong" or "messed up" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has gone awry" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something has deviated from its intended path or has not worked out as planned. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe everything from political strategies to personal relationships when things don't go according to plan.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has gone awry" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe situations that have deviated from their intended course. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It functions as a verb phrase that indicates things have gone wrong or off track. While frequently found in news and media contexts, it also appears in academic and scientific writing. For less formal situations, alternatives like "has gone wrong" might be more appropriate. Using "has gone awry" effectively involves considering the context and audience to ensure the tone aligns with the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has gone wrong

A more direct and common synonym, indicating a problem or mistake.

has gone amiss

Implies a mistake or error, but with a slightly more formal tone.

has turned sour

Suggests a negative outcome or disappointment, often in relationships or situations.

has taken a wrong turn

Emphasizes a deviation from the correct path or plan.

has fallen apart

Indicates a complete failure or breakdown.

has derailed

Suggests that a plan or process has been disrupted and is no longer on track.

has backfired

Implies that an action has had the opposite of the intended effect.

has misfired

Similar to "has backfired", but can also refer to a missed opportunity.

has come to naught

Suggests that efforts have been wasted and have not produced any results. Is slightly more formal.

has proven futile

Emphasizes the ineffectiveness or uselessness of an action or effort.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "has gone awry"?

When something "has gone awry", it means that it has deviated from its intended course, experienced problems, or failed to achieve the desired outcome. It suggests a situation that has taken an unexpected or undesirable turn.

How can I use "has gone awry" in a sentence?

You can use "has gone awry" to describe various situations. For example, "The project "has gone awry" due to unforeseen circumstances", or "Our initial plan "has gone awry", and we need to re-evaluate our strategy."

Which is more appropriate, "has gone awry" or "has gone wrong"?

Both "has gone awry" and "has gone wrong" are correct, but "has gone awry" is often perceived as more formal. The choice depends on the context and desired tone. In casual settings, "has gone wrong" might be preferable, while "has gone awry" suits more formal writing.

What are some alternatives to saying "has gone awry"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "has gone wrong", "has gone amiss", "has taken a wrong turn", or "has fallen apart". Each option carries slightly different connotations, so choose the one that best fits your intended meaning.