things went wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things went wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to express that an event or situation has gone off track or that something has gone awry or failed. For example, "I set out to write a report but things went wrong and I ended up not finishing it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Things went wrong.

The New York Times - Books

But things went wrong.

The New York Times

Even then, things went wrong.

The New York Times

Then things went wrong.

The Guardian - Tech

"Loads of things went wrong.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And then things went wrong.

The New Yorker

A few things went wrong.

The Guardian

What kind of things went wrong?

Yale University

But things went wrong along the way.

The New York Times

But plenty of things went wrong.

The Washington Post

But from the outset things went wrong.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things went wrong" when you want to generally indicate that a process, plan, or situation encountered problems without specifying the exact nature of those problems.

Common error

Avoid using "things went wrong" as a way to evade responsibility. Be specific about what went wrong and who was responsible when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things went wrong" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating that a situation, plan, or process encountered unforeseen problems or failures. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a common way to generally express that something has deviated from the intended course.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "things went wrong" is a common and generally acceptable phrase used to indicate that a situation has encountered problems or failures. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it may be too informal for certain professional or academic settings, where more specific language might be preferred. Related phrases like "errors occurred" or "difficulties arose" can offer a more formal tone, while phrases such as "it all went south" provide a more emphatic, albeit informal, alternative. When using the phrase, be mindful of the potential for overuse of the passive voice and consider providing specific details about what went wrong when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something went amiss

Emphasizes that something was not as it should be; slightly more formal.

problems arose

Focuses specifically on the emergence of problems.

difficulties emerged

Similar to 'problems arose', but can suggest more complex or challenging issues.

errors occurred

Highlights that mistakes or inaccuracies took place.

the situation deteriorated

Implies a gradual decline in the state of affairs.

there were complications

Indicates that factors made a situation more intricate or difficult.

the plan backfired

Specifically refers to a plan or strategy having unintended negative consequences.

it all went south

An informal expression indicating a rapid and significant decline or failure.

everything fell apart

Suggests a complete and often sudden disintegration of a situation.

snags developed

Highlights unexpected obstacles or minor issues.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "things went wrong" in a more formal way?

Consider using phrases like "errors occurred", "difficulties arose", or "complications emerged" for a more formal tone.

Is "things went wrong" appropriate for professional communication?

While understandable, "things went wrong" may be too informal for some professional contexts. Depending on the situation phrases such as "the project encountered difficulties" may be better suited.

What's a more emphatic alternative to "things went wrong"?

For a stronger expression, consider "it all went south" or "everything fell apart", though these are quite informal.

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

You might say, "We planned the event carefully, but unfortunately, "things went wrong", and we had to cancel it".