something is amiss here

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "something is amiss here" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you sense that something is wrong or not quite right in a situation. Example: "After reviewing the report, I couldn't shake the feeling that something is amiss here; the numbers just don't add up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Something is amiss here".

The New York Times

"People feel something is amiss here — that's within their right," said Bowman, who is the chief executive of Major League Baseball Advanced Media.

The New York Times - Sports

In the case of the changed grades at Christel House, which opened in 2002 and serves students in kindergarten through 10th grade, Mr. Bennett said at a news conference this week that seeing the school's "C" grade was "the 'aha moment' where I had to say something is amiss here" because he knew the school was performing well.

The New York Times

Buyers do have the right to reject goods after purchase if they are found to be faulty, and eBay allows them 30 days to raise any issues – but the company seemingly realises that something is amiss here because, while it insists MC refund it the purchase price, it is remitting £400 in goodwill for "the negative selling experience".

The Guardian - Money

Something is amiss here: You have a "solid business plan" but you're asking very basic questions.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

MELBOURNE, Fla .— The first hint that something was amiss here, in the shallow lagoons and brackish streams that buffer inland Florida from the Atlantic's salt water, came last summer in the Banana River, just south of Kennedy Space Center.

The New York Times

At what point did you realize that something was amiss here?' " Affluentials, affluenza, technoluxe, populuxe, opuluxe — the wordsmiths have been working overtime to find names for all the changes that have come about ever since luxury infiltrated our psyches.

The New York Times

Know when something is amiss.

The Guardian - Tech

But something is amiss with the Blueshirts.

The New York Times

Something is amiss — and, eventually, something's got to give.

The New Yorker

But he senses that something is amiss.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase when you want to express a sense that something is wrong or not quite right, but you can't pinpoint the exact problem. It's suitable for conveying a subtle unease.

Common error

While "something is amiss here" is perfectly valid, it can sound overly formal in everyday conversation. Consider using more casual alternatives like "something feels off" or "something's not right" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something is amiss here" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate that there is a problem or irregularity in a particular situation or location. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. It can signal a subtle sense of unease or suspicion that something is not quite right.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "something is amiss here" serves as a signal that things are not quite right in a specific context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and although it is relatively rare in occurrence, it is widely understood. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, but it is also correct to use in academia. While it's important to avoid overusing this phrase in overly casual conversations, being able to leverage it, is important to express a subtle unease and encourage further investigation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something feels wrong here

Replaces "amiss" with "wrong", offering a more direct expression of concern.

something seems off here

Uses "off" instead of "amiss", providing a more informal way to express a similar sentiment.

there's something fishy going on

Introduces a more colloquial term, "fishy", to imply deception or hidden problems.

I sense something is not right

Adds a personal perspective with "I sense", emphasizing a subjective feeling of unease.

I suspect something isn't as it seems

Expresses a suspicion that appearances are deceiving.

there's something suspicious here

Focuses on the suspicious nature of the situation.

things don't add up here

Suggests a logical inconsistency or discrepancy.

I have a bad feeling about this

Expresses a general sense of impending trouble.

this doesn't feel right

Focuses on the feeling of the situation not being as it should.

I'm getting a strange vibe

Uses "vibe" to indicate an intuitive sense of unease.

FAQs

How can I use "something is amiss here" in a sentence?

You can use "something is amiss here" when you detect that something is not quite right or that there's a problem. For example, "After reviewing the data, I felt that "something is amiss here"; the numbers don't align with our projections."

What's a more casual way to say "something is amiss here"?

Alternatives include "something feels off", "something's not right", or "something seems fishy". The choice depends on the context and your desired level of formality.

Which is correct, "something is amiss here" or "something was amiss here"?

Both are correct, but they indicate different tenses. "Something is amiss here" suggests a current situation, while "something was amiss here" refers to a past situation.

Is "something amiss" always followed by "here"?

No, "here" provides specific context, but it's not always necessary. You can say "something is amiss" in general, or specify another location if needed, such as "something is amiss in the accounting department".