something may be amiss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "something may be amiss" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that there might be a problem or something is not quite right in a situation. Example: "After reviewing the report, I noticed some discrepancies; something may be amiss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It was some of her own faithful readers who first suggested something may be amiss.

Independent

Only when puzzles repeatedly prove recalcitrant does the community begin to develop a sense that something may be amiss; the unsolved puzzles acquire a new status, being seen as anomalies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The first sign that something may be amiss?

Forbes

But it does create the perception that something may be amiss, and ditching review copies is a marketing tactic that backfires if your game is in fact good.

Forbes

Smart technology that recognizes patterns, such as the morning coffee-making routine mentioned earlier, could come in handy when those patterns are broken, perhaps alerting grown children that something may be amiss with an elderly parent.

Forbes

We all have these patterns that become our normal, and what we're trying to do is to take advantage of that, build a baseline and when something is out of sorts it is an indicator that something may be amiss – and the key is that it's an indicator.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Another is that something more serious may be amiss.

The Economist

On March 31, a report for the 1997 fiscal year by FPA Medical Management, a medical-practice manager in San Diego, showed accounts receivable doubling from the year before and positive operating income in a year when cash flow was negative, signs that something -- the accounting or the business -- may be amiss.

The New York Times

In fact, their worries are being echoed across England amid growing concern that something may be seriously amiss with the government's academies experiment.

The Guardian

Something may be seriously amiss in southeast Huntington Beach.

Los Angeles Times

That Mr. Atta drove Mr. Jarrah to the airport was an "unusual circumstance suggesting that something may have been amiss," the report said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "something may be amiss", ensure the context clearly indicates what "something" refers to. This avoids vagueness and ensures the reader understands the potential issue.

Common error

While "something may be amiss" is grammatically sound, overuse can make your writing sound hesitant. Opt for more direct language where appropriate to convey confidence and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something may be amiss" functions as a hedged assertion, indicating a potential problem or irregularity. It's a way of expressing concern or suspicion without making a definitive claim. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "something may be amiss" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a cautious suspicion or concern that something is not quite right. As Ludwig AI states, it is usable in written English, suggesting a potential problem without making a definitive claim. Its usage spans various contexts, most notably in News & Media, conveying a neutral to slightly formal tone. While not extremely common, it serves as a useful tool for raising awareness and prompting further investigation when a potential issue is suspected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something might be wrong

Uses "might" instead of "may", making it slightly more tentative and direct. The word choice is common for similar semantic meaning.

something could be the matter

Employs "could be the matter", indicating a concern about the cause of an issue. The word choice is common for similar semantic meaning.

there might be a problem

Focuses on the existence of a "problem", offering a slightly less vague concern. The structure and word choice differs, but maintains the original semantic core.

there could be an issue

Substitutes "issue" for "problem", which is slightly less alarming. This is a structural and word choice variation while keeping the original semantic meaning.

something seems off

Uses the informal term "off", implying that something does not seem right. Although the core semantic meaning is preserved, the tone of the original sentence drastically decreases in formality.

I suspect an issue

More direct, expressing suspicion rather than a general sense of unease. The structure of the sentence changes to accommodate the new tone of the expression.

I have a bad feeling

Indicates a sense of foreboding, suggesting an intuition that something negative is about to happen. This is a new sentence with slight variations in word choice and structure but keeps the semantic meaning of suspecting problems.

I sense a disturbance

Employs a more dramatic tone, suggesting a disruption of peace or order. It includes variations in word choice and sentence structure while conserving the semantic meaning.

this doesn't feel right

Expresses a personal discomfort or unease about a situation. A new sentence is generated including minor variations in sentence structure and tone, while conserving the general meaning.

I smell a rat

Uses an idiomatic expression indicating suspicion of deceit or trickery. This sentence includes a different tone while the semantic meaning of being suspicious is conserved.

FAQs

What does "something may be amiss" mean?

It means that there might be a problem or that something is not quite right. It suggests a concern or suspicion about a situation.

When is it appropriate to use "something may be amiss"?

It's appropriate when you want to express a cautious suspicion or a gentle warning that there could be an issue without being overly alarming. Use it when you sense a potential problem but don't have definitive proof.

What can I say instead of "something may be amiss"?

You can use alternatives like "something might be wrong", "there could be an issue", or "something seems off" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "something is amiss" stronger than "something may be amiss"?

Yes, "something is amiss" is a stronger statement. It asserts that there is a problem, while "something may be amiss" only suggests a possibility. The use of the modal verb 'may' mitigates the degree of certainty.