something seems amiss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "something seems amiss" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you believe that something is wrong or out of place. For example: "When I got there, something seemed amiss and the store was empty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"Something seems amiss with this Swiss miss," an unseen narrator says archly.

The New York Times - Arts

In the N.B.A. something seems amiss with the latest allegations against union chief Billy Hunter, which Yahoo.com reports include him trying to steer business to a bank affiliated with his brother.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet something seems amiss, for the person is guilty of ignorance, not of gross inconsistency.

SEP

But then something seems amiss with the Lewis semantics in the way it deals with counterpossibles or at least some philosophers have concluded this from examples like the two above.

SEP

GE, meanwhile, recently started selling a home motion-sensor system called Quiet Care for retirement homes that monitors patients' movement patterns and automatically sends an alarm to monitors if something seems amiss, such as a senior not leaving the bathroom for a long time.

Forbes

Something seems amiss, though.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Right away, something seemed amiss.

The New Yorker

Later, thinking about the layout, she realized something seemed amiss.

The New York Times

She said the system enabled Tower Hamlets officials to "see that something seemed amiss".

The Guardian

But something seemed amiss on this afternoon, as it has almost every weekend for more than a year.

The New York Times

His office wouldn't offer any hints as to what he might do, though one aide suggested that something seemed amiss.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "something seems amiss" to express a subtle sense of unease or a feeling that something is not quite right, rather than a definitive statement of a problem. This phrase is particularly effective when you want to convey intuition or a preliminary assessment.

Common error

While versatile, avoid overusing "something seems amiss" in strictly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language that specifies the nature of the problem or discrepancy. For example, instead of saying "The data seems amiss", consider "The data contains inconsistencies that require further investigation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something seems amiss" functions as an expression of unease or suspicion. It's typically used to signal that a situation or detail deviates from what is expected or normal. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "something seems amiss" is a versatile expression used to convey a sense that something is not quite right or out of place. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in written English. It functions as a signal that warrants further attention or investigation. While frequently found in News & Media, it also appears in Scientific and Wiki sources, suggesting a neutral register that is neither overly formal nor highly informal. For situations demanding more precise language, alternatives like "something appears wrong" or "something is awry" may be more suitable. However, in many everyday contexts, "something seems amiss" effectively communicates a subtle sense of unease or suspicion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something feels off

This alternative uses "feels" instead of "seems", focusing on a subjective feeling rather than an apparent observation.

something appears wrong

This alternative replaces "amiss" with "wrong", providing a more direct and straightforward expression of the issue.

something seems out of place

This alternative elaborates on the meaning of "amiss" by specifying that something is not in its correct location or state.

something doesn't add up

This alternative suggests that there is an inconsistency or contradiction that is causing suspicion.

something is fishy

This alternative uses a more informal and colloquial term to indicate that something is suspicious or questionable.

there's something not right

This alternative shifts the sentence structure while maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

something is awry

This alternative employs a slightly more formal and less common word, "awry", to convey that something is out of order.

something rings a bell of suspicion

This alternative expresses the feeling that a situation is a bit suspicious.

i suspect something is wrong

This alternative introduces a subjective element, with the speaker expressing their suspicion.

something suggests a problem

This alternative focuses on the indication of a potential issue rather than directly stating something is wrong.

FAQs

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

You can use "something seems amiss" to express a feeling that something is wrong or out of place. For example, "When I arrived, "something seemed amiss" and the door was unlocked".

What's a more formal way to say "something seems amiss"?

For a more formal alternative, consider using phrases like "something appears wrong" or "something is awry", which convey a similar meaning with increased formality.

Is "something seems amiss" suitable for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "something seems amiss" may be too informal for strict academic writing. In such contexts, consider using more precise and descriptive language to articulate the specific issue.

What's the difference between "something feels off" and "something seems amiss"?

"Something feels off" emphasizes a subjective feeling or intuition, while "something seems amiss" focuses on an objective observation or appearance. The former is more about personal perception, while the latter is about external indicators.