if everything goes wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if everything goes wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a condition where things may not turn out as planned or expected. Example: "I have a backup plan in case everything goes wrong during the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"If everything goes wrong, she'll be fine," he said, laughing.

The New York Times

The thought of how much money you can make as a non-executive director in the City if everything goes wrong (applies only to Conservative MPs).

The Guardian - Opinion

Visitors to the duo's Web sites, Ms. Schindler said, "immediately have the experience that Jodi wants to give them, which is, 'What if everything goes wrong?' " In questioning the Internet's rules, Jodi has had a huge influence on digital artists.

The New York Times - Arts

But it may be good to know that if everything goes wrong, and ordinary citizenship beckons, there is a chance to take a new and different kind of power.

The Guardian

And even if everything goes wrong and you are robbed and catch malaria, shrug it off — those are precisely the kinds of authentic interactions with local cultures that, in retrospect, enrich a journey and life itself.

The New York Times

If everything goes wrong it could ruin you personally.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Then, suddenly suspicious of the proceedings, struck by our folly — what if everything went wrong?

The New York Times - Magazine

Despite the team's difficulties, Jeremy Lin, only recalled from the D-League because of Baron "Wally Pipp" Davis's latest long-lingering injury, was only going to get significant minutes if everything went wrong.

The Guardian - Sport

It can be hard to convince yourself to get out there, but remember that if everything went wrong and you felt embarrassed, you won't have to see those people ever again.You don't even have to leave your home, maybe start reading, take up drawing or start writing wikiHow articles!

WikiHow

"If you like a show where everything goes wrong, you'll like this show," said Mr. David, 53, in a telephone interview from his office in Los Angeles.

The New York Times

Suddenly, everything goes wrong.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "if everything goes wrong", consider including a contingency plan or alternative action to show preparedness. For example, "If everything goes wrong with the presentation, we have printed handouts available".

Common error

Avoid constantly focusing on negative outcomes. While it's wise to consider what happens "if everything goes wrong", balance it with positive expectations and proactive solutions to maintain a constructive tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if everything goes wrong" functions as a conditional clause, introducing a hypothetical scenario where all aspects of a situation fail. Ludwig examples show it used to anticipate problems and plan alternative actions. It sets up the possibility of failure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "if everything goes wrong" is a grammatically sound and commonly used conditional phrase that sets the stage for discussing potential negative outcomes and contingency planning. Ludwig AI confirms that it can be used to express a condition where things may not turn out as planned or expected. It appears frequently in news and media sources and is also prevalent in wikis and more formal business contexts. When using this phrase, considering alternative expressions like "in the worst-case scenario" or "if all else fails" can add variety to your writing. Remember to balance the consideration of potential problems with positive expectations and proactive solutions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the worst-case scenario

Focuses on the most negative possible outcome, similar to "if everything goes wrong" but more concise.

if the worst happens

A shorter, more direct way of expressing a similar condition of negative outcome.

should the situation deteriorate

More formal, emphasizing the worsening of a situation rather than a complete failure.

if all else fails

Implies that other options have been exhausted, leading to a final, potentially negative outcome.

in a complete disaster

Highlights the catastrophic nature of the failure, similar to the extreme negativity of everything going wrong.

on the off chance of total failure

More explicitly acknowledges a possibility of failure, albeit a small one.

if things fall apart

Suggests a breakdown or disintegration of plans or situations.

should matters take a turn for the worse

Formal and focuses on a negative change in circumstances.

if our plans unravel

Specifically relates to the failure of a plan, becoming undone or failing

assuming complete failure

Directly assumes the possibility of a breakdown and plans accordingly.

FAQs

How to use "if everything goes wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "if everything goes wrong" to introduce a contingency plan or to discuss potential negative outcomes. For example, "If everything goes wrong, we have a backup server ready to deploy".

What can I say instead of "if everything goes wrong"?

You can use alternatives like "in the worst-case scenario", "if the worst happens", or "if all else fails" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "if everything goes wrong" or "if everything went wrong"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have different meanings. "If everything goes wrong" refers to a potential future event, while "if everything went wrong" refers to a hypothetical past event.

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

"If something goes wrong" refers to a single issue or problem, while "if everything goes wrong" suggests a complete or widespread failure.