then went wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "then went wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a point in time when something that was previously going well started to fail or experience problems. Example: "Everything was going smoothly until the project deadline approached, and then went wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

What went right then went wrong Sunday, despite a roster in better health than at any point this season.

The New York Times - Sports

On his brief watch the brisk Mr Henderson delivered some progress, broking deals with bondholders and the United Auto Workers union that helped pave the way for the company to emerge from bankruptcy.In this section Saving the oligarchs Puffed up Heat count Bubbling under Fritzkrieg Adieu, Hollywood Calorific value The rise of the hybrid company ReprintsBut three things then went wrong.

The Economist

"Stuart Pearce came into Manchester City and had a fantastic 'Honeymoon Period' and then went wrong - and did the same with the England Under-21s.

BBC

What, then, went wrong?

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Rackspace's generators kicked in but, as we've seen before, lots of other things can then go wrong.

TechCrunch

A wind could come up, you could lose your balance, and any number of things could then go wrong.

WikiHow

Even then, things went wrong.

The New York Times

But then something went wrong.

The New Yorker

But then it went wrong.

The New York Times - Arts

Then things went wrong.

The Guardian - Tech

Then everything went wrong.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "then went wrong" to clearly mark the turning point in a narrative where circumstances shift from positive to negative. This helps create a clear understanding of cause and effect for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "then went wrong" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "took a turn for the worse" or "began to deteriorate" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "then went wrong" functions as a conjunction phrase connecting a prior positive state or action with a subsequent negative outcome or failure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "then went wrong" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to mark a negative turning point in a situation or narrative. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and readily understandable. It is widely used in News & Media, Science and Wiki, and has a neutral register, it can be easily used in formal and informal context. Consider using synonyms such as "then took a turn for the worse" to avoid repetition and enrich your writing. Using it appropriately ensures clear communication and maintains reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

then took a turn for the worse

Emphasizes a negative change in circumstances.

then the situation worsened

States directly that conditions became more negative.

then things went downhill

Indicates a decline after a specific event.

then began to deteriorate

Highlights a gradual decline after a specific point.

then started to unravel

Suggests a process of falling apart or failing.

then things spiraled downward

Implies a rapid and uncontrolled descent into problems.

then the plan fell apart

Focuses on the failure of a strategy or arrangement.

then problems arose

Points to the emergence of difficulties.

then complications ensued

Indicates that difficulties followed a certain event.

then everything collapsed

Highlights a sudden and complete failure.

FAQs

How can I use "then went wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "then went wrong" to indicate a point in time when a situation or process deteriorated. For example, "The project started well, but "then went wrong" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "then went wrong"?

Some alternatives include "then took a turn for the worse", "then began to deteriorate", or "then things spiraled downward", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "then went wrong" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, in very formal writing, you might opt for a more sophisticated phrase like "then complications ensued" or a more detailed explanation of what specifically caused the situation to deteriorate.

What's the difference between "then went wrong" and "then something went wrong"?

"Then went wrong" implies a general decline or failure of an ongoing situation, while "then something went wrong" suggests a specific, identifiable issue occurred. The former is broader in scope.