it would be amiss

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "it would be amiss" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to say that it would be a mistake or inappropriate to not do something. For example: "It would be amiss not to thank everyone for their efforts towards the fundraiser."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Now that we are working on several resorts, it would be amiss on our part to not go back to Bawa.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I don't usually photograph much in the theme park area of the beach, but, once again, I would be amiss if I didn't highlight this for you.

Huffington Post

As a writer of career advice, I'd be amiss if I didn't urge you to read as much as you can about developing your career goals and getting a job-search plan in place.

Science Magazine

I can't imagine that anything they reported would be amiss".

The New Yorker

"Look, if in the 22-year history of the Workers Partyy I hadn't changed, something would be amiss," Mr. da Silva, a former labor leader, said recently.

The New York Times

Even though we currently have limited data to work with, we would be amiss if we would not touch on the ambitions of President Trump.

Energy Transitions

If egoism is the thesis that one will always act rightly if one consults one's self-interest, properly understood, then nothing would be amiss in identifying him as an egoist.

SEP

We would be amiss to believe that these statements were made in a "politically correct" context and had transitory value.

Huffington Post

We would be amiss to speak with such a master of the game and not cop some audio knowledge out of it.

Vice

In psychiatry however, with the limited amount of success that we achieve with existing tools, we would be amiss to ignore the power of the dream.

Huffington Post

What seems clear to me throughout the last two decades of teaching, and talking weekly about religion in college classrooms, is that we would be amiss to equate religious affiliation with ethical behavior.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your language by using synonyms like "remiss" or "an oversight" to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "amiss" in contexts where you simply mean something is wrong or incorrect. "Amiss" specifically implies a failure to include or consider something important, not a general error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would be amiss" functions as a modal expression indicating a potential error or oversight if a particular action is not taken. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for indicating that failing to do something would be a mistake.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it would be amiss" is a phrase used to express that omitting or neglecting something would be a mistake or inappropriate. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts, this phrase carries a neutral to formal tone. When using it, make sure that you are conveying a message about a failure to include or consider something important, and avoid using it as a general negative. Alternatives such as "it would be a mistake" or "it would be an oversight" can be used for variety. Consider the context and audience to ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would be remiss

Synonymous, offering a slight variation in word choice.

it would be a mistake

Replaces "amiss" with a more direct term for error, keeping the same structure.

it would be an oversight

Focuses on the act of overlooking something, highlighting negligence.

it would be neglectful

Emphasizes the act of neglecting something important.

it would be inappropriate

Highlights the lack of suitability if something is not done.

it would be unwise

Focuses on the lack of good judgment in not doing something.

it would be imprudent

Emphasizes a lack of wisdom or caution in omitting something.

it would be regrettable

Highlights the negative consequences of not including something.

it would be ill-advised

Suggests that taking an action would be bad counsel.

it would be wrong

Uses a general term for something ethically or morally incorrect.

FAQs

How to use "it would be amiss" in a sentence?

Use "it would be amiss" to indicate that neglecting or omitting something would be a mistake or inappropriate. For example, "It would be amiss not to acknowledge the team's hard work".

What can I say instead of "it would be amiss"?

You can use alternatives like "it would be a mistake", "it would be an oversight", or "it would be remiss" depending on the context.

Is "it would be amiss" formal or informal?

"It would be amiss" is generally considered a formal expression, suitable for professional or academic writing. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives might be preferred.

What's the difference between "it would be amiss" and "something is amiss"?

"It would be amiss" suggests a future action that should not be neglected, while "something is amiss" indicates that something is currently wrong or out of place. They address different aspects of inappropriateness or error.