somewhat amiss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat amiss" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not quite right or is slightly off in a particular situation. Example: "There was a feeling that something was somewhat amiss during the meeting, but no one could pinpoint exactly what it was."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Something is ever so slightly amiss.

Huffington Post

But for many who embraced this somewhat ungainly and occasionally perilous activity, something may have seemed amiss: pleasure.

BBC

The report, in somewhat breathless language, said one person figured out there was something amiss because the cell phone number of the person who pretended to be calling from the United States did not have an American area code, while the report said spies were recruited to gather information about cash machines and the Tehran subway system.

The New York Times

Sumption told me, in a somewhat circumspect manner: "I had a broad hint that an application would not come amiss".

The Guardian

Terribly amiss.

The New York Times

Amiss, John Milton, 1887- author.

Stanford University

Something is amiss here".

The New York Times

Something's amiss.

The New York Times

Something seemed amiss here.

The New Yorker

Again, nothing seemed amiss.

The New Yorker

Something was amiss.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somewhat amiss" to subtly suggest that something is not quite right, without being overly critical or direct. It's effective when hinting at an issue rather than stating it outright.

Common error

While "somewhat amiss" is acceptable, overuse in highly formal writing can make your tone seem evasive. Opt for more direct language when clarity is paramount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat amiss" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of being slightly incorrect or out of order. It is used to express a subtle sense of something being wrong, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "somewhat amiss" is a grammatically sound adjective phrase used to convey a sense of something being slightly wrong or out of place. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. Although its frequency is currently low, it finds a home in neutral registers, particularly within news, academia, and formal contexts. When employing this phrase, aim for subtlety, using it to hint at issues rather than making direct accusations. Be mindful of its potential to sound evasive in overly formal settings, as more direct language may be preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not quite right

A straightforward way of saying something is not completely correct or satisfactory.

slightly wrong

Indicates a minor deviation from what is correct or expected.

a bit off

A more informal way to say something is not quite right.

somewhat out of place

Highlights the incongruity or lack of harmony of something.

slightly awry

Implies something has gone a little off course or not as planned.

a shade off

Suggests a subtle difference or error.

somewhat irregular

Indicates a deviation from the norm or expected pattern.

a little strange

Focuses on the odd or unusual nature of something.

slightly peculiar

Emphasizes the unusual or eccentric quality of something.

a touch askew

Suggests a slight misalignment or deviation from a straight line or expected position.

FAQs

How can I use "somewhat amiss" in a sentence?

You can use "somewhat amiss" to indicate that something feels slightly wrong or out of place, without being explicitly incorrect. For example, "There was a feeling that something was "somewhat amiss" during the negotiation."

What does "somewhat amiss" mean?

"Somewhat amiss" suggests that something is slightly wrong, out of order, or not as it should be. It implies a minor issue or deviation from the expected norm.

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

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "slightly irregular", "somewhat inappropriate", or /s/"not+entirely+correct" instead of "somewhat amiss".

What are some informal alternatives to "somewhat amiss"?

Informally, you could say something is "a bit off", "a little strange", or /s/"not+quite+right" to convey a similar meaning as "somewhat amiss".