whatever went wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whatever went wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to any unspecified issues or problems that have occurred in a situation. Example: "We need to analyze whatever went wrong during the project to ensure it doesn't happen again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Whatever went wrong wasn't unique to Posh&Sticks.

The New York Times - Style

Book yourself in to help overcome whatever went wrong at A-level.

The Guardian

Whatever went wrong with the polls in this country, they inevitably colored perceptions.

The New Yorker

Whatever went wrong in Minnesota's women's program, it was nothing like the men's scandal during the 1990's.

The New York Times - Sports

VIERA, Fla .— One of the enduring traditions of sports is the art of casting blame on former coaches, executives and players for whatever went wrong in the past.

The New York Times - Sports

"Whatever went wrong on the operations side is my responsibility," Valette, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, said last night in a telephone interview.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

I also travel with a little Benadryl, Motrin, something for whatever goes wrong.

The New York Times

Whatever goes wrong for you today, you can take solace in the fact that you are not the New York Mets.

The New York Times

As Mr Reeves writes: "Conservatives are comfortable with the notion that parents and families matter, but too often simply blame the parents for whatever goes wrong.

The Economist

In America members of the plaintiffs' bar search constantly for ingenious ways to make whoever has the deepest pockets pay for whatever goes wrong.

The Economist

Whoever is currently in charge of an area is responsible that is, potentially blamable for whatever goes wrong in the area, even if he has inherited others' mistakes.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "whatever went wrong", ensure the context clearly indicates what event or situation is being referred to, even if the specifics are unknown.

Common error

While acceptable in many contexts, avoid using "whatever went wrong" in highly formal documents. More precise language is preferred in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whatever went wrong" functions as a relative clause, introducing a noun phrase that refers to an unspecified problem or error. It is commonly used to describe a situation where the exact cause of a problem is unknown or not specified. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

21%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whatever went wrong" is a versatile phrase used as a relative clause to refer to unspecified problems or errors. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, especially in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to use more specific language in highly formal or technical settings. Remember to ensure the context clearly indicates the event or situation being referred to and consider alternatives like "what went amiss" or "whatever the issue was" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whatever the issue was

A more general way to refer to an unspecified problem.

what went awry

Suggests something deviated from its intended course.

what went amiss

Emphasizes a deviation from what was expected or desired.

what failed to work

Focuses on the lack of success or functionality.

the error that happened

Directly points to a mistake or error.

what occurred unexpectedly

Highlights the unexpected nature of the problem.

the problem that arose

Emphasizes the emergence of a problem.

what unfolded negatively

Highlights the negative development of events.

the snag encountered

Focuses on an unexpected obstacle or difficulty.

what transpired unfavorably

Highlights the unfavorable outcome of events.

FAQs

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

You can use "whatever went wrong" to refer to unspecified problems or errors in a situation. For example: "We need to analyze "whatever went wrong" during the project."

What can I say instead of "whatever went wrong"?

You can use alternatives like "what went amiss", "whatever the issue was", or "what went awry" depending on the context.

Is "whatever went wrong" grammatically correct?

Yes, "whatever went wrong" is grammatically correct. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its usage in reputable sources.

What is the register of "whatever went wrong"?

"Whatever went wrong" is generally considered neutral in register, suitable for most contexts, but should be used with caution in highly formal or technical writing.