things go wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things go wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe situations where problems or unexpected issues arise. Example: "Despite our careful planning, things go wrong sometimes, and we must be prepared to adapt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Things go wrong.

The New York Times

But things go wrong.

Independent

Occasionally, things go wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sometimes things go wrong.

The New York Times - Sports

But sometimes things go wrong.

The Guardian - Film

And if things go wrong?

The Economist

And then things go wrong.

Independent

Sometimes, when that happens, things go wrong.

The New Yorker

Who's responsible when things go wrong?

The New Yorker

But what if things go wrong?

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Where did things go wrong?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional settings, consider using "issues arise" or "complications develop" as more formal alternatives to "things go wrong" to maintain a polished tone.

Common error

While "things go wrong" is perfectly acceptable in general writing, avoid overusing it in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "errors occur" or "complications arise" to convey a higher degree of sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things go wrong" functions as a general statement indicating that problems or unexpected issues occur. Ludwig AI confirms its common use in diverse contexts. The phrase acts as a subject and verb, conveying a situation where plans or expectations are not met.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

11%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "things go wrong" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe the occurrence of problems or unexpected issues. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is versatile and appears frequently in news, media, and general contexts. While it functions as a general statement, more formal alternatives like "problems arise" or "complications develop" are better suited for professional or academic writing. It's a helpful phrase to acknowledge potential setbacks and express unforeseen difficulties in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

problems arise

Focuses on the emergence of problems, slightly more formal.

mishaps occur

Emphasizes minor accidents or unfortunate events.

difficulties emerge

Emphasizes challenges and obstacles that appear.

errors happen

Highlights mistakes as the source of issues.

complications develop

Indicates a more intricate or complex problem.

something goes amiss

Suggests that something is not as it should be.

issues crop up

Emphasizes the sudden and unexpected appearance of problems.

hitches arise

Highlights unexpected obstacles or delays.

snags occur

Focuses on small, unexpected problems.

faults develop

Focuses specifically on failures or imperfections that become apparent.

FAQs

How can I use "things go wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "things go wrong" to describe unexpected problems or mishaps. For example: "Despite our careful planning, "things go wrong" sometimes, and we must be prepared to adapt."

What can I say instead of "things go wrong"?

You can use alternatives like "problems arise", "mishaps occur", or "errors happen" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "things went wrong" instead of "things go wrong"?

Yes, "things went wrong" is the past tense of ""things go wrong"" and is used to describe problems that occurred in the past.

What's the difference between "something go wrong" and "things go wrong"?

"Something go wrong" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""things go wrong"", which refers to multiple unspecified issues.