I've been missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I've been missing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a feeling of absence or longing for someone or something over a period of time. Example: "I've been missing my friends since we all moved to different cities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Been a long time, I've been missing your body… Ooh, it's not even her birthday but I wanna lick the icing off.

The New Yorker

"I've been missing you".

The New Yorker

I've been missing a challenge.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps I've been missing something.

The New York Times - Tech

I've been missing them dreadfully.

The Guardian - Books

This is what I've been missing.

The New York Times

"This is what I've been missing," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

It turns out I've been missing a lot.

The New York Times - Health

"I've been missing you very much," she wrote.

The New York Times

"I've been missing balls, hitting high, towering fly balls," Rodriguez said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I just know I've been missing pitches I should be hitting, all year".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I've been missing" to express a feeling of longing or absence for someone or something, often implying a sense of sadness or regret. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "I've been missing" when you mean you've misplaced something. "Missing" implies a feeling of absence, whereas "losing" refers to misplacing an object. For example, say "I've lost my keys", not "I've been missing my keys".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I've been missing" functions as a declarative statement expressing a feeling of absence or longing. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples from diverse sources. The phrase typically connects the speaker with something they feel is lacking in their life.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Huffington Post

10%

The New Yorker

5%

Less common in

BBC

1%

TechCrunch

1%

Vice

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I've been missing" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a feeling of longing or absence. Ludwig AI's analysis, supported by numerous examples, indicates its versatility across various contexts, primarily within news and media. While generally neutral in register, it can convey a range of emotions, from simple nostalgia to deep yearning. When using this phrase, remember that it implies an ongoing feeling of absence, distinct from simply misplacing something. Consider alternatives like "I have longed for" or "I have missed" depending on the desired tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I have missed

Simple and direct way of expressing absence or lack.

I've been without

Focuses on the state of lacking something.

I have felt the absence of

Highlights the feeling of something being gone or not present.

I have longed for

Emphasizes a deep and persistent yearning.

I have yearned for

Similar to 'longed for', but with a slightly stronger emotional intensity.

I have craved

Suggests a strong desire or need.

I have been craving

Similar to 'craved', but with the additional sense of duration from the present perfect continuous.

I have desired

More formal way of expressing a wish or want.

I have wanted

Basic expression of a wish or desire.

I have regretted not having

Indicates a feeling of remorse for something not experienced or possessed.

FAQs

How do I use "I've been missing" in a sentence?

You can use "I've been missing" to express a feeling of longing for someone or something, as in "I've been missing my family since I moved away" or "I've been missing the sunshine during this rainy season".

What's a more formal way to say "I've been missing"?

For a more formal tone, you could say "I have longed for" or "I have yearned for", which express a deeper sense of longing than "I've been missing".

Is it correct to say "I've been missing to do something"?

No, that is incorrect. "I've been missing" is typically followed by a noun or pronoun, referring to the person or thing you are missing. If you want to express that you have failed to do something, you could say "I have failed to" or "I have neglected to".

What's the difference between "I miss" and "I've been missing"?

"I miss" expresses a general feeling of missing someone or something, while "I've been missing" implies that this feeling has been ongoing for some time. For example, "I miss my friend" is a general statement, whereas "I've been missing my friend since she moved away" indicates a continuous feeling of absence.