I only missed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I only missed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific instance of not being present or failing to achieve something, emphasizing that it was just that one occurrence. Example: "I only missed the meeting because I was stuck in traffic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"I only missed two greens.

The New York Times - Sports

I only missed one fairway today".

The New York Times - Sports

Last week, I only missed five greens.

The New York Times - Sports

"Well," Bass muses, "I only missed it by 113 years!

The New York Times - Magazine

After that, in my whole career, I only missed one race due to injury.

The New York Times

I only missed it by 0.01sec and I was running into a headwind.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"I only miss my father and mother".

The New York Times

I only miss my abs when I'm on the beach.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I only miss it if I'm physically prevented by being on an airplane or a bus.

The New York Times

I only miss playing when it comes to the home of cricket The only time I miss playing is during the Lord's Test.

Independent

"I only miss the money," Montag told "Access Hollywood" in October.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I only missed", clarify what was missed and the context in which it was missed to ensure clarity for the reader. For example, "I only missed one question on the exam."

Common error

Avoid using "I only missed" in situations where the miss had significant consequences. In such cases, it may be more appropriate to acknowledge the impact of the failure directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I only missed" primarily functions as a declarative statement indicating a singular or limited failure to achieve a target or be present. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts ranging from sports scores to event attendance. The grammatical structure is straightforward, emphasizing the 'only' aspect of the miss.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Sport

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

4%

Lifestyle

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I only missed" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that you narrowly failed to achieve something or were absent on a single occasion. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and notes its presence in various contexts, particularly news and sports reporting. When using this phrase, be sure to clarify what you missed and why it matters. Related phrases like "I just missed" or "I nearly missed" can serve as softer alternatives, while you should avoid using the phrase in situations where the miss had significant consequences, unless you are intentionally downplaying them.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I just missed

Emphasizes the narrowness of the failure to achieve something, using "just" to indicate closeness.

I narrowly missed

Highlights the small margin by which something was not achieved.

I barely missed

Similar to narrowly missed, but with a stronger sense of near failure.

I nearly missed

Indicates how close one came to not achieving something, implying a potential negative consequence.

I almost missed

Like nearly missed, suggests a very close call.

I slightly missed

Suggests a small degree of failure to achieve something.

I failed to achieve

A more formal way of saying the target was not met.

I came close to missing

Emphasizes the proximity to missing something, rather than the act of missing itself.

I fell short of

Suggests failure to reach a certain standard or goal.

I didn't quite make

An informal way to express a failure to achieve something completely.

FAQs

How can I use "I only missed" in a sentence?

Use "I only missed" to indicate a singular instance of failing to achieve something or being absent. For example, "I only missed one day of work this year."

What's a less direct way of saying "I only missed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "I just missed", "I nearly missed", or "I almost missed", which can soften the tone.

Is it correct to say "I only missed" or should I use another phrase?

The phrase "I only missed" is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Its appropriateness depends on the context and desired level of formality.

What is the difference between "I only missed" and "I completely missed"?

"I only missed" suggests a minor or singular instance of missing something. In contrast, "I completely missed" indicates a total failure to notice, attend, or achieve something.