sense something amiss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sense something amiss" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express that you feel there is something wrong or not quite right in a situation. Example: "As I walked into the room, I could sense something amiss, as the atmosphere felt unusually tense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Many religious folk, already wary of this preacher-like liberal, were likely to sense something amiss.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Perhaps sensing something amiss, a waiter on a recent evening attempted to spark a conversation between two neighboring tables: "Look!

The New Yorker

The second scenario was that the spacecraft sensed something amiss and, as it is programmed to do, powered down the main computer and switched operations to the backup computer.

Independent

Silver Charm went out for his usual mile and one-half gallop around 9 A.M., but his exercise rider, Larry Damore, sensed something amiss and took the colt back to the barn.

The New York Times - Sports

However, when pressed by an angry public and a media swarm that sensed something amiss, Becker first admitted eight of the city's pumps had been out of service before a drop of rain fell on Saturday.

The Guardian

Sensing something amiss, she called L.L. Bean a few days later.

Forbes

The account given at the time to the press by Brigadier General Yair Naveh, in charge of IDF forces in Gaza, was that it had been intended as an arrest operation, but that sensing something amiss, Razeq had pulled out a Kalashnikov rifle and attempted to open fire at the Israeli forces, at which point the troops shot at his vehicle.

HuffPost

Mr. Martin sensed something amiss.

The New York Times - Food

She sensed something amiss.

The New York Times - Food

She senses something amiss with John, and worries she will not be able to cope with whatever is coming.

The New York Times

Ms. Corzine said she first sensed something amiss when she bumped into Mr. Turner and Ms. Greenberg in San Marco Square in Venice in 1994.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sense something amiss" to convey a subtle or intuitive feeling that something is wrong, rather than a concrete observation. It adds a layer of depth to your writing.

Common error

While appropriate in many situations, avoid using "sense something amiss" excessively in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise and direct language when describing specific issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense something amiss" functions as an idiomatic expression, indicating an intuitive feeling or perception that something is wrong or not quite right. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sense something amiss" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe an intuitive feeling that something is wrong. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While its formality is generally neutral, it's best to avoid overuse in highly technical or formal writing, opting for more direct language when precision is paramount. Alternatives such as ""suspect something is wrong"" or ""feel something is not right"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use the phrase to suggest a subtle unease rather than a concrete observation to enrich your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Sense something is off

Similar but uses "off" instead of "amiss".

Recognize something amiss

Highlights a cognitive recognition of a problem.

Suspect something is wrong

Emphasizes suspicion rather than intuition.

Have a feeling something is wrong

Highlights intuition as the source of the feeling.

Feel something is not right

A more general expression of unease.

Get the impression something is wrong

Emphasizes that the feeling is based on an impression.

Detect something out of place

Focuses on identifying a specific irregularity.

Notice something is off

More informal, suggesting something is not as expected.

Intuit something is not quite right

Highlights intuitive understanding.

Perceive something awry

A more formal and less common way of expressing the same idea.

FAQs

How can I use "sense something amiss" in a sentence?

You can use "sense something amiss" to describe a feeling that something is wrong or not quite right. For example: "As I walked into the room, I could sense something amiss, as the atmosphere felt unusually tense."

What can I say instead of "sense something amiss"?

You can use alternatives like "suspect something is wrong", "feel something is not right", or "recognize something amiss" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "sense something amiss"?

Yes, "sense something amiss" is a correct and usable phrase in English. It's often used to describe an intuitive feeling that something is wrong or out of place.

What's the difference between "sense something amiss" and "sense something is off"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "sense something amiss" might be perceived as slightly more formal or literary than "sense something is off", which is more colloquial.