something has gone amiss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "something has gone amiss" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
You can use it to describe a problem or mistake that has occurred. Example: The dinner party was going smoothly until the main course arrived and we realized that something had gone amiss in the kitchen - the chicken was undercooked.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"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

The title is certainly provocative, suggesting as a starting point a general agreement that something has gone amiss in the Islamic civilization, at least in its reaction to the impact of the Judeo-Christian West.

The New York Times - Books

For example, dialysis for the sickest patients (top 10%) costs more than $240,000 per QALY and some heart pumps costs more than $500,000 per QALY.I think something has gone amiss here.

The Economist

While the one-touch backup devices save time in the long run, investing some time early on to review backups for accuracy and to adjust settings can promote peace of mind and head off a belated discovery that something has gone amiss.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Something seriously has gone amiss," said Eoannou.

The Guardian - Sport

The general hypothesis is that BCP indicates that something has gone essentially amiss with the theory of weakly semantic information.

SEP

If you're there, it means something has gone horribly amiss and the authorities are investigating why you're no longer living.

Vice

(in reference to those which had gone amiss).

Pastoralism

A little Droid branding might not have gone amiss, but we may see that later.

TechCrunch

And then information would have gone amiss or they would have been delayed.

BMC Health Services Research

At this point it became clear that something had gone sorely amiss.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, consider the context carefully. It implies a deviation from what is expected or correct, so ensure this implication aligns with the situation you are describing.

Common error

Avoid using "something has gone amiss" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "something went wrong" or "there's a problem" are more appropriate in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something has gone amiss" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate that a problem or mistake has occurred. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usage in various contexts. It serves to introduce a concern or acknowledge a deviation from the expected course of events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "something has gone amiss" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that a problem or mistake has occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. With a neutral to formal register, it is suitable for professional, academic, and journalistic contexts. While not overly common, the phrase effectively conveys concern or prompts investigation. Alternative expressions include "something went wrong" or "something is amiss", depending on the desired level of formality. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the context and avoids overuse in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something is amiss

This alternative is a shorter, more direct way to express that something is wrong or out of place.

something has gone wrong

This alternative is a more straightforward and common way of saying that a problem has occurred.

something is not quite right

This alternative is a less direct way of saying something is wrong, implying a subtle issue.

something is awry

This alternative uses a less common word to suggest that something is out of its correct or expected position.

something is not as it should be

This alternative is a more formal way of saying that there is a problem or irregularity.

something is out of order

This alternative suggests that something is not functioning correctly or as it should be.

an error has occurred

This alternative is a more formal and technical way of indicating that an error has taken place.

a mistake has been made

This alternative focuses specifically on the occurrence of an error.

there's been a slip-up

This alternative suggests a minor error or oversight has occurred.

there's a problem

This alternative is the simplest and most general way of indicating that an issue exists.

FAQs

How can I use "something has gone amiss" in a sentence?

You can use "something has gone amiss" to indicate that a problem or mistake has occurred, like in the sentence, "The project was on track until this week, when it became clear that "something has gone amiss" with the data collection."

What are some alternatives to "something has gone amiss"?

Alternatives include "something went wrong", "something is amiss", or "there's a problem", depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "something has gone amiss" formal or informal?

"Something has gone amiss" is considered more formal than alternatives like "something went wrong". Choose it for professional or academic contexts where a slightly elevated tone is appropriate.

What does "something has gone amiss" imply?

The phrase "something has gone amiss" implies that a deviation from the expected or correct course has occurred, often suggesting a need for investigation or correction. It's similar to saying "something is not quite right" but with a stronger sense of something being wrong.