something go amiss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "something go amiss" is not correct in standard English; it should be "something went amiss." You can use it when indicating that something has gone wrong or not as planned.
Example: "During the meeting, something went amiss, and we couldn't reach a decision."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He had felt something go amiss in his right knee in the previous set.

The New York Times - Sports

Should something go amiss, these people will be lifesavers.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Do the creators of the promotion have a Plan B in case something goes amiss?

The New York Times

I keep waiting for that call that something went amiss and the colt needs more time".

The New York Times - Sports

:)The tweet in question (above) suggests Mr Roberts intended to interfere with the Engine Indication Crew Alerting System (EICAS), which informs the crew when something goes amiss with a plane's engine.

The Economist

A8 Kenya Stumbles in Drug War Something went amiss in Kenya as the authorities tried to burn more than a ton of cocaine seized in 2004 in the largest narcotics raid in the country's history.

The New York Times

People in our lives are just going about their business when something goes amiss -- a twitch in their leg, some dizziness, a lump, a pain, an abnormal result, an accident, an ambulance, a hospitalization, a doctor's visit, a test, a diagnosis.

Huffington Post

That way, if something goes amiss, you can simply stand up and breathe.

WikiHow

Though many shareholders and business partners say Hyperloop One remains on track despite a messy legal battle, even investors and collaborators acknowledge something went amiss.

Los Angeles Times

It can also be handy to ask about cancellation fees or reschedule dates in case something goes amiss.

WikiHow

"He's a very smart guy and he realizes something has gone amiss and he's trying to figure out how to get it back on track".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "something go amiss" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "something went wrong" or "something is amiss" to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Common error

The phrase "something go amiss" uses the base form of the verb "go" instead of the past tense "went" or the present tense "is". Always use the correct tense to ensure grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something go amiss" attempts to express that an error or problem has occurred. However, its non-standard grammatical structure significantly impacts its effectiveness. Ludwig AI flags the phrase as incorrect, emphasizing the importance of using established grammatical forms to ensure clarity and comprehension.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "something go amiss" aims to convey that an error or problem has occurred, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies this issue, recommending alternatives like "something went amiss" or "something is amiss". Its limited usage in authoritative sources and overall grammatical status make it unsuitable for formal writing. When aiming for clarity and professionalism, choosing a correct alternative is best.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something went wrong

Uses the correct tense and a more common verb phrase.

something went amiss

Uses the correct tense of the verb "go".

something is wrong

A more general statement indicating an issue.

something is not right

A less direct way of saying that there is a problem.

something is off

An informal way to suggest that something is not as it should be.

there's a problem

A direct way of stating that an issue exists.

something failed

Indicates a breakdown or lack of success.

something didn't work

Expresses that something was unsuccessful.

an issue arose

Indicates that a problem has occurred.

a complication occurred

A more formal way of saying that there's a problem.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "something go amiss"?

The grammatically correct alternatives are "something went amiss" or "something is amiss". The original phrase uses the base form of the verb incorrectly.

What does "something go amiss" mean?

It means that something has gone wrong or that there is a problem. However, the phrase is not grammatically correct and should be avoided in formal writing.

Can I use "something go amiss" in a sentence?

While you might encounter the phrase "something go amiss", it is advisable to use grammatically correct alternatives such as "something went wrong" or "something is amiss" for better clarity and acceptance.

Is "something go amiss" formal or informal?

Due to its grammatical incorrectness, "something go amiss" is not suitable for formal contexts. Opt for phrases like "something has gone wrong" or "an issue has arisen" in professional or academic settings.