appears to be missing

USAGE SUMMARY

"appears to be missing" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in a sentence when something or someone is not present or cannot be found. It is often used when there is a suspicion or uncertainty that something is missing, rather than a certainty. Example: "I went to grab my keys from the counter, but they appear to be missing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

MOST of reality appears to be missing.

The Economist

For the APUMAs, one appears to be missing in the geographic files.

Columbia University

The initial model simulation for Timbavati appears to be missing a source of OH.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Most pressingly, where is Bono, who currently appears to be missing his first Davos for years?

The Guardian - Music

But his voice is so singular in aura that nothing appears to be missing.

The New Yorker

The Prime Minister aimed very low and appears to be missing spectacularly.

Independent

One piece of information, however, appears to be missing from this complex equation of becoming human.

The New York Times - Magazine

Its warhead is clearly visible, though its fuse appears to be missing.

The New York Times

No injuries were reported, and no one appears to be missing, a fire spokesman said.

The New York Times

What appears to be missing is an examination of the possible underlying reasons for senior management's behavior.

Information & Management

What appears to be missing from these debates is a detailed analysis of the concept of professional discretion itself.

Social Science & Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appears to be missing" when you want to express a sense of uncertainty or observation, rather than a confirmed absence. It implies a degree of subjectivity or preliminary assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "appears to be missing" excessively in contexts where active voice would be more direct and impactful. For instance, instead of "The evidence appears to be missing", consider "The evidence is lacking".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appears to be missing" functions as a linking verb phrase, connecting a subject to a state of being (missing). It indicates a perceived absence or lack, often suggesting uncertainty or a preliminary assessment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appears to be missing" is a versatile expression used to indicate a perceived absence or lack, often with a hint of uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. It functions as a linking verb phrase and is considered generally neutral in register, making it suitable for news reports, academic writing, and general communication. Common alternatives include "seems to be absent" and "seems to be lacking", offering subtle variations in formality and emphasis. When using this phrase, consider whether a more direct, active voice construction might be more impactful. Ultimately, "appears to be missing" is a reliable and readily understandable way to express a preliminary assessment of absence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems to be absent

Replaces "appears" with "seems" and "missing" with "absent", slightly altering the tone but retaining the core meaning.

appears to be absent

Replaces "missing" with "absent", keeping a formal tone and denoting non-presence.

seems to be lacking

Substitutes "missing" with "lacking", suggesting a deficiency rather than a complete absence.

is conspicuous by its absence

Highlights the fact that the thing that is missing is significant because of its absence.

is conspicuously absent

Emphasizes the absence, making it noticeable or remarkable.

is noticeably absent

Highlights the absence as easily observed.

is notable for its absence

Indicates that something is important and not present.

is nowhere to be found

Indicates an inability to locate something or someone, implying a more thorough search.

cannot be located

Focuses on the inability to find something rather than its absence.

is not present

States a simple lack of presence, more direct and less nuanced.

FAQs

How can I use "appears to be missing" in a sentence?

Use "appears to be missing" to indicate that something is likely absent or cannot be found, often with a hint of uncertainty. For instance, "The file I need "appears to be missing" from the directory".

What can I say instead of "appears to be missing"?

You can use alternatives like "seems to be absent", "seems to be lacking", or "is conspicuously absent" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "appears to be missing" or "appears missing"?

"Appears to be missing" is the grammatically correct and more common phrase. "Appears missing" is less formal and less frequently used.

What's the difference between "appears to be missing" and "is missing"?

"Appears to be missing" suggests an observation or preliminary conclusion, whereas "is missing" is a more direct statement of fact. The former implies a degree of uncertainty or subjectivity.