what's wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

"What's wrong?" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, if you find a mistake in a document, you can ask your colleague, "What's wrong with this report?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"What's wrong?" "What's wrong?

The New York Times

What's wrong?

University of California, Berkeley

So what's wrong?

Yale University

Well, what's wrong?

University of California, Berkeley

"What's wrong?" I asked.

The New Yorker

"What's wrong?" I shrugged.

The New Yorker

"What's wrong with hipsters?

The New York Times

"What's wrong?" he said.

The New Yorker

You know what's wrong.

Independent

"What's wrong?" he asked.

The New York Times

That's what's wrong.

Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what's wrong" to express genuine concern or to offer help. Its effectiveness lies in its directness and simplicity, conveying empathy and a willingness to assist.

Common error

Avoid using "what's wrong" in a confrontational manner. The phrase can sound accusatory if your tone or body language implies blame. Instead, use a gentle tone to show you're genuinely concerned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what's wrong" functions as an interrogative expression, primarily used to inquire about a problem, issue, or source of distress. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, with numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what's wrong" is a grammatically correct and widely used interrogative phrase for inquiring about a problem or issue. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for diverse contexts. While generally neutral, its suitability varies depending on the situation and relationship with the speaker. Alternatives include "what is the matter" or "what is the problem" for more formal settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and empathy to avoid any confrontational implications. The phrase is very common, frequently appearing in News & Media and Academic sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is the problem

This alternative directly asks about the issue at hand.

what's the issue

This alternative is a straightforward way to ask about a specific concern.

what's the trouble

This alternative uses a synonym for "problem" to inquire about the difficulty.

what is the matter

This alternative is a more formal way of asking what the problem is.

what seems to be the problem

This alternative is a polite and slightly formal way to ask about the issue.

is something the matter

This alternative is a slightly more formal way to ask if there is a problem.

is there anything wrong

This alternative is a general inquiry about any potential problems.

is everything alright

This alternative inquires about the overall well-being of a person or situation.

what's bothering you

This alternative focuses on what is causing distress to a person.

what has happened

This alternative asks about a specific event that might have caused a problem.

FAQs

How can I use "what's wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "what's wrong" to ask about a problem or issue. For example, "You seem upset, what's wrong?" or "The car is making a strange noise, what's wrong with it?"

What can I say instead of "what's wrong"?

You can use alternatives like "what is the matter", "what is the problem", or "is everything alright" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "what's wrong" in formal situations?

While "what's wrong" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "what is the matter" or "what seems to be the problem" might be more suitable in professional or official settings.

What's the difference between "what's wrong" and "what happened"?

"What's wrong" implies that there is an ongoing issue or problem, while "what happened" refers to a specific past event. Use "what's wrong" when you sense something is currently amiss, and "what happened" when you know something has occurred.