something went awry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "something went awry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has gone wrong or not as planned in a situation. Example: "Despite our careful planning, something went awry during the event, leading to unexpected delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

But something went awry.

The New York Times - Sports

Unfortunately, something went awry.

The New York Times

"I just know something went awry".

The New York Times

Modern finance improved countless lives.But more recently something went awry.

The Economist

Then, when spring track started, something went awry.

The New York Times - Health

That something went awry at the jail has already spurred calls for change.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

At least until something goes awry.

The New York Times

Did something go awry in their childhood?

Independent

I think something goes awry," she tells Cosme.

The New Yorker

"If something goes awry, it can be devastating.

The New York Times

Has something gone awry in the child's social connections?

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a series of events, use "something went awry" to signal a turning point where the expected outcome diverged, creating narrative tension or signaling a change in direction.

Common error

Avoid using "something went awry" in very casual conversations; simpler phrases like "something went wrong" are more appropriate. "Something went awry" may sound overly formal or stilted in everyday speech.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something went awry" functions as a statement indicating that an unexpected problem or complication has occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "something went awry" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that an unexpected problem or complication has occurred. Ludwig AI confirms it's usability. It is prevalent in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. While "something went wrong" offers a more direct alternative, "something went awry" provides a slightly more formal tone. It's best to avoid it in very informal settings. The phrase serves to neutrally report deviations from expected outcomes without necessarily assigning blame.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something went wrong

This alternative is a more direct and commonly used way of expressing that a problem occurred.

something didn't go as planned

This phrase emphasizes the deviation from the original plan or expectation.

something went amiss

This is a slightly more formal and less common way of saying something went wrong.

something malfunctioned

This alternative specifically refers to a failure in a system or mechanism.

something failed

A straightforward way to say that an attempt or process was unsuccessful.

a problem occurred

This alternative is a more general statement that a problem arose.

an issue arose

Similar to "a problem occurred", but may imply a less severe situation.

there was a glitch

This suggests a minor, temporary malfunction.

there was a snag

Implies a minor obstacle or difficulty.

things took a turn for the worse

This phrase indicates a significant and negative change in circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "something went awry" in a sentence?

You can use "something went awry" to indicate that a plan, process, or situation experienced an unexpected problem or deviation. For instance: "Despite our careful planning, "something went awry" during the event".

What can I say instead of "something went awry"?

You can use alternatives like "something went wrong", "something went amiss", or "something didn't go as planned" depending on the specific context and level of formality.

Which is correct, "something went awry" or "something went wrong"?

Both ""something went awry"" and "something went wrong" are grammatically correct. "Something went awry" is slightly more formal and less common than "something went wrong".

What's the difference between "something went awry" and "everything went awry"?

"Something went awry" indicates that one particular aspect or element experienced a problem. In contrast, "everything went awry" signifies that multiple or all aspects of a situation have gone wrong.