all but missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all but missing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is nearly absent or effectively gone, though not completely so. Example: "The report was all but missing the crucial data needed for analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

They are all but missing in lacrosse (2.2 percent), swimming (2.0), soccer (5.3) and softball (8.2).

The New York Times - Sports

Although a decade ago urban planning was all but missing from public health concerns, a sea change has occurred.

The New York Times

But that vitality, that punch, is all but missing from the rest of the album, with its star reduced to a gaseous nonentity.

The New York Times

When Woodson watched film of the four games in which Chandler was all but missing on offense, he saw Chandler was not setting picks for the ball handler quickly, which in turn did not force his defender to leave him for the faster guard.

The New York Times - Sports

The fact that segregation was once pervasive throughout the United States has been all but missing from the news coverage of Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi in the days since he said the country would have been a better place if Strom Thurmond had been elected president in 1948.

The New York Times

At least the Dutchman managed to play in this FA Cup final after all but missing Arsenal's previous two, but the playmaker expected to be the star of the show found himself upstaged by Ray Parlour, a midfielder who is unlikely to be going to the World Cup and who could not even take his place in the starting line-up for granted.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Getting home two o'clock one morning, he called Western Union & dictated an affectionate letter, saying that he was getting along all right, but missing her.

The New Yorker

Preoperative WOOS score, rotator cuff status, and the reason for a particular choice of prosthesis are all valuable, but missing information.

Acta Orthopaedica

I returned the next day, in the late afternoon, having all but missed whatever daylight the Siberian Whip would permit.

The New Yorker

Too many on the scene these days know all the tricks but miss the point.

Huffington Post

He had birdie putts on all three but missed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "all but missing", ensure the context clearly indicates that something is not completely absent, but its presence is negligible or has little to no effect.

Common error

Avoid using "all but missing" when the subject is entirely absent. "All but missing" implies a slight presence, so it's inaccurate to use it when something is entirely gone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all but missing" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun to indicate a state of near-absence. It suggests something is present to a minimal degree but is effectively absent in terms of impact or significance. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "all but missing" is a useful qualifier that indicates something is nearly absent, though not entirely. It's grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. Ludwig AI analysis confirms the phrase is acceptable and effective. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize the near-absence of something, and choose alternative phrases like "virtually absent" or "practically nonexistent" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually absent

This alternative directly replaces "all but" with "virtually", emphasizing near absence.

practically nonexistent

This alternative conveys the idea that something is almost not there.

nearly absent

This emphasizes the closeness to being completely gone.

almost entirely absent

This suggests a high degree of absence, with only a small trace remaining.

as good as absent

This implies the effect is the same as if it were completely absent.

for all practical purposes missing

This conveys the absence is effective in real-world situations.

effectively absent

This highlights the practical outcome of the near absence.

scarcely present

This focuses on the limited presence rather than complete absence.

barely there

This expresses minimal presence or impact.

tantamount to absent

This suggests the condition is equivalent to being absent.

FAQs

How can I use "all but missing" in a sentence?

Use "all but missing" to describe something nearly absent or practically nonexistent. For instance, "The crucial data was "virtually absent" from the report" or "His support was "practically nonexistent" during the project".

What's a good substitute for "all but missing"?

Alternatives include "virtually absent", "practically nonexistent", or "nearly absent", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "all but missing" even if it's partially present?

Yes, "all but missing" indicates something is almost entirely gone but retains a minimal presence. If something is completely gone, "completely absent" or "entirely missing" would be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "all but missing" and "completely missing"?

"All but missing" implies something is almost entirely absent but not quite, while "completely missing" means it is entirely absent. The distinction lies in the degree of absence.