something seems wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

"something seems wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express an opinion that something is not right. For example: I was reading the minutes from the board meeting and something seems wrong.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Something seems wrong about that.

Yale University

Unofficially, something seems wrong.

The New York Times

We're going through the paces, but something seems wrong".

The New York Times

(If something seems wrong with the diagram, read on).

The New York Times - Arts

Veatch proposed that humor emerges when something seems wrong or unsettling but is actually benign.

The New Yorker

Something seems wrong when a lung or a kidney is sold for money.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Something seemed wrong.

The New York Times - Arts

It was still beautiful, but something seemed wrong.

The New York Times

But as I looked at it, something seemed wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

Watching them, he was troubled -- something seemed wrong with the process.

The New York Times - Arts

It was a lovely afternoon — mid-May, the golden hour — but something seemed wrong.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "something seems wrong" to express a subjective feeling, rather than stating a definitive fact without evidence.

Common error

Avoid acting solely on the feeling that "something seems wrong" without seeking concrete evidence. Base decisions on facts, not just hunches.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something seems wrong" functions as an expressive statement used to convey a feeling or intuition that something is not right or as expected. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use across varied contexts, highlighting its subjective nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

10%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "something seems wrong" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a subjective feeling or intuition that something is not as it should be. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, academia, and wiki articles. While suitable for both informal and professional settings, it is crucial to support this feeling with concrete evidence rather than relying solely on intuition. Alternative phrases like "something feels off" or "something is amiss" can provide nuanced ways to express this sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something feels off

Focuses on a feeling or intuition that something is not right.

something doesn't seem right

Emphasizes the lack of correctness or appropriateness.

something is amiss

Uses a more formal term to indicate that something is out of place.

I have a bad feeling about this

Expresses a personal premonition of negative outcomes.

my gut tells me something is wrong

Highlights the intuitive sense that something is not right.

I sense something is wrong

Directly states a feeling of something being wrong.

there's something fishy going on

Suggests deceit or suspicious activity.

I suspect something is wrong

Conveys a suspicion that something is not as it should be.

this raises a red flag

Indicates that something serves as a warning sign.

I smell a rat

Suggests that one suspects treachery or deception.

FAQs

What does "something seems wrong" mean?

It means that you have a feeling or impression that something is not right, correct, or as it should be. It suggests a sense of unease or suspicion.

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

You can use it to express a subjective feeling, for example: "I was reviewing the report, and "something seemed wrong" with the figures."

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

A more formal alternative is to say "something is amiss". This conveys a similar meaning but is suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Are there similar phrases to "something seems wrong" that express a stronger sense of suspicion?

Yes, phrases like "there's something fishy going on" or "I smell a rat" suggest a stronger suspicion of deceit or wrongdoing.