are missing

USAGE SUMMARY

"are missing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that should be present but is not. For example, "Several pages of the report are missing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Primary colors are missing.

The New York Times

People are missing.

The New York Times

Many more are missing.

The Economist

Several fingers are missing.

The New York Times

"They are missing something".

The New York Times

Sometimes, letters are missing.

The New York Times - Arts

Others are missing.

The New York Times

Pages are missing.

The New York Times - Arts

Both are missing.

The New York Times

Three Americans are missing.

The New York Times

Many are missing teeth.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are missing", ensure the subject is plural or collective. For example, use "The keys are missing" instead of "The key are missing."

Common error

Avoid using a singular verb form with "missing" when referring to a plural subject. It's incorrect to say "The documents is missing"; the correct form is "The documents are missing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are missing" functions as a verbal phrase indicating absence or loss. It typically describes a state where items or individuals cannot be found or are not present. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are missing" is a versatile verbal phrase used to indicate that items or individuals are absent or cannot be found. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, particularly in news reports and formal communications. The phrase maintains a neutral tone, making it suitable for diverse audiences and situations. When using "are missing", ensure the subject is plural to avoid grammatical errors, and consider the context to determine if a more formal alternative is appropriate. With an abundance of examples available, grasping its usage is straightforward.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are absent

Focuses on the state of not being present, either physically or figuratively.

are lacking

Emphasizes a deficiency or shortage of something needed or expected.

are not present

Directly states the absence of something or someone.

are nowhere to be found

Highlights the inability to locate something or someone, suggesting they are lost or hidden.

are gone

Indicates a permanent absence or departure.

have disappeared

Suggests a sudden or mysterious vanishing.

cannot be located

Focuses on the inability to find something, often in an official or formal context.

are unavailable

Indicates that something is not accessible or obtainable.

are deficient

Highlights a lack of something necessary or desirable, often used in technical contexts.

are wanting

Emphasizes that something is needed or desired, but currently absent.

FAQs

How can I use "are missing" in a sentence?

The phrase "are missing" is used to indicate that multiple items or people cannot be found or are absent. For example, "The files from yesterday "are missing" from the cabinet" or "Several students "are missing" after the school trip".

What's a formal alternative to "are missing"?

In more formal contexts, you might use phrases like "are unaccounted for" or "remain outstanding" instead of "are missing". For instance, "The funds "are unaccounted for"" or "Several issues "remain outstanding"".

Is it correct to say "is missing" instead of "are missing"?

The choice between "is missing" and "are missing" depends on whether the subject is singular or plural. Use "is missing" for singular subjects (e.g., "The book is missing") and "are missing" for plural subjects (e.g., "The books are missing").

What's the difference between "are missing" and "have lost"?

"Are missing" generally implies that something is currently not found and its location is unknown. "Have lost", on the other hand, suggests that something was once possessed but is now gone, often due to carelessness or misplacement. For example, "The children "are missing"" suggests their current location is unknown, while "I have lost my keys" indicates you can't find them but once had them.