a missing section

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a missing section" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a part of something that is absent or not included, often in contexts like documents, reports, or physical objects. Example: "The report was incomplete due to a missing section that contained crucial data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The 1978 discovery by the late Jan Pinborg and his colleagues of De Signis, a missing section of part three, led to intense study of Bacon's semiotics and the philosophy of language in his later works.

SEP

If your query concerns a missing section of the paper or supplement please contact 0800 839 100.

The Guardian

Behind a missing section of fence was a heap of car doors, a headlight and sections of garage door.

The New York Times

OSHA focused on fire-related hazards, including a missing section of standpipe that delayed the flow of water to firefighters, and insufficient water supply and water pressure.

The New York Times

For Beevor, this is "a missing section in the jigsaw," and it certainly will not be well known to most Western readers.

The New York Times - Books

Louise showed no special talent for art, but despite that was always drawing, so one day her mother asked her to help by drawing in a missing section of tapestry as a template for the stitching to follow.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Mr. Little argued not only that his client lacked the expertise to know that the standpipe was broken or that the missing section created a risk of death, but also that the firefighters would have died even if the standpipe had been in place.

The New York Times

The size of the missing section makes an early theory about the removal seem less plausible.

The New York Times

However, an adjacent gene located 5' of At2g36480 (At2g36485) encodes the "missing" section of the CID.

BMC Genomics

One missing section of DNA was found to block a gene that, in other animals, stifles the growth of brain cells.

The Guardian

The technician then brought the missing section of the skull back to Jallo, carrying it in a wide right angle over surgical carts rather than risk moving it over the floor.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a missing section", ensure the context clearly indicates what the section belongs to. For example, "a missing section of the report" is clearer than just "a missing section".

Common error

Avoid using "a missing section" without specifying what it belongs to. This can lead to confusion. Instead of saying, "There's a missing section", specify, "There's a missing section in the contract".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a missing section" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific part that is absent. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a missing section" is a grammatically sound and useful noun phrase that describes an absent part of something. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's commonly used across various domains, including News & Media and Science. While applicable in both formal and informal contexts, ensure clarity by specifying what the "section" belongs to. Consider alternatives like "an absent segment" or "a lost portion" to add variety to your writing. Overall, Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides ample examples for practical use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an absent segment

Replaces 'missing' with 'absent' and 'section' with 'segment', maintaining a similar meaning but using different vocabulary.

a lost portion

Substitutes 'missing' with 'lost' and 'section' with 'portion', implying something was present but is now gone.

an incomplete part

Replaces 'missing' with 'incomplete' and 'section' with 'part', focusing on the lack of completeness.

a removed segment

Suggests the section was intentionally taken away.

a gap in the text

Specifies the context as written material.

a lacuna in the document

Uses a more formal and technical term 'lacuna' to indicate a gap or missing part.

a deletion from the record

Implies the section was deliberately removed from an official record.

an omitted fragment

Focuses on the act of leaving something out.

a break in continuity

Describes the missing section in terms of its effect on the overall flow.

an interruption in the sequence

Highlights the disruption caused by the missing section within a sequence.

FAQs

How to use "a missing section" in a sentence?

You can use "a missing section" to describe an absent part of a document, object, or process. For example: "The document was rejected due to "a missing section" on financial disclosures."

What can I say instead of "a missing section"?

Alternatives include "an absent segment", "a lost portion", or "an incomplete part", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "a missing section" and "a deleted section"?

"A missing section" generally implies the section is unintentionally absent or its whereabouts are unknown. "A deleted section", on the other hand, indicates that the section was intentionally removed.

Is it appropriate to use "a missing section" in formal writing?

Yes, "a missing section" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing factual situations in reports, documents, or analyses. Consider alternatives like "a lacuna in the document" for a more formal tone.