is anything amiss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is anything amiss" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring if something is wrong or not as it should be. Example: "As I walked into the room, I noticed the silence and asked, 'Is anything amiss?'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

While Ms. Mudd knows how to deal with Millie, she is also the first to lend her support if there is anything amiss.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"None of the handful of entries in 2010" that mentioned Fast and Furious described its tactics or "suggested there was anything amiss" to make it memorable, she said.

The New York Times

On Monday, the bobsled federation filed its response to Davidson's grievance, denying that there was anything amiss with the selection criteria.

The New York Times - Sports

For its part, the government of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and senior officials at the medical school, vigorously denied from the outset that there was anything amiss with the trial.

The New York Times

I wasn't involved in the study, so I can't argue with any authority that there's anything amiss, but there's no easily accessible impartial data about it to alleviate my suspicions either.

The Guardian

It plans to immediately inform colleges when there's anything amiss — and contact others on behalf of any students who want to assure colleges that their applications are as advertised.

The New York Times

Nor would there be anything amiss in cashing out at the end of a long career.

Forbes

There does not appear to be anything amiss in their thinking of God as necessarily existing; if the belief that God exists is incoherent this is not obvious.

SEP

Whether there was anything amiss with any of these "common vendor" cases is a complicated question -- and given the current posture and makeup of the FEC, we may never know for sure.

Huffington Post

If you encounter a decision you don't understand, she said, consider ordering a copy of your credit file to see if there's anything amiss.

Los Angeles Times

But just because Alonso had a nasty accident and is missing a race does not necessarily mean there is anything further amiss.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is anything amiss" when you want to politely inquire whether something is wrong or out of order. It's suitable in both formal and informal settings.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "is anything amiss" can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "is something wrong?" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is anything amiss" functions as an interrogative expression used to inquire whether something is wrong, out of order, or not as expected. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. It seeks to uncover any potential issues or problems that may not be immediately apparent.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

8%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is anything amiss" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to inquire whether something is wrong or out of order. Ludwig AI data indicates it's most frequently encountered in News & Media, with a slightly formal tone suitable for both casual and professional contexts. While perfectly correct, remember that in informal settings, simpler alternatives like "is something wrong" might be more appropriate. The phrase serves to express concern or curiosity, seeking to identify potential problems.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is something wrong

Directly asks if there is a problem, simpler wording.

is there a problem

Asks about existence of a problem, more explicit.

is something the matter

Inquires about the cause of distress, slightly more formal.

is there anything the matter

Inquires if the is anything wrong, slighty more verbose

does something seem off

Focuses on a feeling that something is not right, more nuanced.

is everything alright

Checks if everything is in order, broader scope.

is there cause for concern

Inquires about a situation that might warrant worry, more serious tone.

is something awry

Uses a more formal term for something being out of order, elevated vocabulary.

is there a glitch

Asks if there is something that is malfunctioning

do you perceive a problem

Check if the other person feels a problem, change the focus.

FAQs

How can I use "is anything amiss" in a sentence?

You can use "is anything amiss" to politely ask if something is wrong or not as it should be. For example: "As I walked into the room, I noticed the silence and asked, 'Is anything amiss?'"

What are some alternatives to "is anything amiss"?

You can use alternatives like "is something wrong", "is there a problem", or "is something the matter" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "is anything amiss"?

It's appropriate to use "is anything amiss" when you want to inquire about a potential problem in a polite, and sometimes slightly formal, way. It fits well in situations where you sense something might be wrong but aren't sure.

Is "is anything amiss" more formal than "is something wrong"?

Yes, "is anything amiss" generally carries a more formal tone than "is something wrong". The latter is more commonly used in everyday conversation.