if anything goes wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

"if anything goes wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that something could potentially go awry. For example: "We've taken all the necessary precautions, but if anything goes wrong we'll be sure to take action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And if anything goes wrong you can't stop it.

The New Yorker

If anything goes wrong, she'll know exactly what it is.

The New York Times - Arts

If anything goes wrong, it will hurt China".

The New York Times

If anything goes wrong, who is to blame?

The Economist

If anything goes wrong, no problem — you're covered by AppleCare.

The Washington Post

If anything goes wrong, the director takes the blame.

The New York Times - Magazine

"If anything goes wrong, you put a new piece down.

The New York Times

If anything goes wrong they'll be the ones criticised.

The Guardian - Sport

"If anything goes wrong, they can go to court".

The New York Times

If anything goes wrong, I want to die quickly.

The Guardian - Arts

"If anything goes wrong there, it's tough," Farnsworth said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "if anything goes wrong", clearly outline the contingency plan or the steps to be taken in response. This provides reassurance and demonstrates preparedness.

Common error

Avoid using "if anything goes wrong" without specifying potential scenarios or consequences. Provide context to make the warning meaningful and actionable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if anything goes wrong" functions as a conditional clause, introducing a situation where negative outcomes are possible. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

32%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "if anything goes wrong" is a commonly used and grammatically correct conditional clause that introduces a possible negative outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. It's prevalent across News & Media, Wiki, and Academic sources, signaling its broad applicability. To enhance clarity, specify potential scenarios when using this phrase, and prepare contingency plans. Consider more formal alternatives like "should complications occur" for certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in case something goes awry

Replaces "wrong" with "awry", suggesting a deviation from the expected course.

should something go amiss

Uses "amiss" instead of "wrong", implying something is out of place or not quite right.

if there's a problem

Simplifies the condition to a more general statement about problems arising.

in the event of a mishap

Replaces the conditional clause with a noun phrase focused on a "mishap".

if things don't go as planned

Shifts the focus to the deviation from the intended plan.

if an issue arises

More formal, substituting "issue" for the general idea of something going wrong.

should complications occur

Emphasizes the potential for complex problems or difficulties.

when problems arise

Uses "when" to introduce a condition where problems happen.

if something malfunctions

Focuses on a failure of a system or device.

if difficulties are encountered

Uses more formal language focusing on the "difficulties" that may arise.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "if anything goes wrong" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "in the event of a malfunction", "should complications arise", or "if difficulties are encountered".

What's the difference between "if something goes wrong" and "if anything goes wrong"?

While both phrases are similar, "if something goes wrong" is generally used when referring to a specific issue, while "if anything goes wrong" is broader and covers any potential problem.

When is it appropriate to use "if anything goes wrong" in writing?

Use "if anything goes wrong" when you want to address potential issues or problems that may occur and to prepare for those possible outcomes.

What are some alternatives to "if anything goes wrong" in technical writing?

In technical contexts, consider alternatives like "in case of system failure", "should an error occur", or "if a fault is detected" for greater precision.