seem to go wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'seem to go wrong' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation that appears to be going wrong. For example: "When I tried to fix the kitchen sink, things seemed to go wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Touch-screen machines are particularly controversial, since they generally do not produce paper output, cause confusion among voters, and seem to go wrong rather often.

The Economist

This kind of thing endears me to Kirchner: when things seem to go wrong, they are wrong in the right way; they are individual and memorable.

The Guardian - Arts

On both sides of the Atlantic one truth remains constant - big government IT projects always seem to go wrong.

BBC

With the key flash points picked out and technology that can make a decision on whether a deal is a good idea in less than 10 milliseconds, the obvious question is why things seem to go wrong so regularly?

BBC

This is why if you "wake up on the wrong side of the bed" everything in your day will seem to go wrong.

Huffington Post

For those who don't remember Lawrence J. Peter's book from 1969, it was an attempt to explain why things always seem to go wrong particularly in hierarchical management cultures.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"Everything seemed to go wrong.

The New York Times - Sports

"Everything seems to go wrong with them.

The New Yorker

Then something seemed to go wrong.

The Guardian

Everything just seemed to go wrong".

The New York Times

Something always seemed to go wrong, he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize the unexpected nature of the failure, consider adding adverbs like "suddenly" or "unexpectedly" before "seem".

Common error

Avoid using "seem to go wrong" when you have concrete evidence of a failure. The phrase implies a level of uncertainty or perception. If you know something has failed, state it directly rather than softening it with "seem to go wrong".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem to go wrong" functions as a qualifying observation, expressing an apparent or perceived issue rather than a definitively confirmed one. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seem to go wrong" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a situation that appears to be developing problems or not functioning as intended. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, highlighting its neutral register and its primary use in expressing tentative observations. While relatively uncommon compared to other expressions, this phrase is particularly found in News & Media. When using "seem to go wrong", ensure that you are conveying a perceived issue, and not overstating a confirmed failure, and remember that more formal alternatives such as "appear to malfunction" may be more suitable in professional or technical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem to be failing

Uses the continuous form of "fail", suggesting an ongoing process of decline or ineffectiveness.

appear to fail

Replaces "go wrong" with "fail", suggesting a lack of success or effectiveness.

seem to develop problems

This alternative suggests the emergence of issues over time.

appear to malfunction

This alternative replaces "go wrong" with the more formal "malfunction" and "seem" with "appear", indicating a slightly more objective observation.

appear to be problematic

Emphasizes the troublesome nature of the situation, implying difficulties or complications.

appear to be flawed

Substitutes "go wrong" with "be flawed", focusing on inherent imperfections rather than outright failure.

seem to encounter difficulties

This implies facing challenges and obstacles, rather than outright failure.

appear to break down

Replaces "go wrong" with "break down", implying a loss of functionality or operational capacity.

seem to be defective

Indicates the presence of a fault or imperfection as the apparent cause of the problem.

seem to be amiss

Suggests that something is not quite right or out of place, without explicitly stating a failure.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "seem to go wrong" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "appear to malfunction" or "appear to fail". These options offer a more objective and professional tone.

What does it mean when something "seems to go wrong"?

It means that based on initial observation, something appears to be failing, malfunctioning, or not working as expected. It indicates a perceived problem rather than a definitively confirmed one.

Is it appropriate to use "seem to go wrong" in technical writing?

While acceptable, "seem to go wrong" might be considered too informal for some technical contexts. Using phrases like "appear to be defective" or specifying the exact nature of the malfunction can provide greater clarity and precision.

How does "seem to go wrong" differ from "is going wrong"?

"Seem to go wrong" indicates an apparent issue based on observation, while "is going wrong" asserts a confirmed fact. The former suggests uncertainty or perception, while the latter implies certainty and evidence.