be missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be missing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is absent or not present when it is expected to be. Example: "The report is incomplete because several key figures seem to be missing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Something would be missing.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A lot will be missing.

Independent

But you'd be missing out.

Independent

Something will be missing, though.

The New York Times

"Pieces will be missing.

The New York Times

What could be missing?

The New York Times

You might be missing out.

The New York Times - Magazine

One student will be missing.

The New York Times

The drive would be missing.

The New York Times

I won't be missing much".

The New York Times

But you'd be missing out..

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be missing" when indicating something is absent and expected, whether physically or metaphorically. For instance, "Several key details seem to be missing from the report."

Common error

Avoid using "miss" as a direct replacement for "be missing" when indicating absence. "Miss" typically implies feeling the absence of something, not just its absence. For example, instead of "The keys miss", use "The keys are missing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be missing" functions primarily as a predicate adjective when used with a linking verb like 'is', 'are', 'was', 'were', 'will be', etc. It describes a state of absence or lack. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in describing something that is not present or available.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be missing" is a very common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something is absent or unaccounted for. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, from News & Media to Academia. When writing, ensure that you are using "be missing" to describe a state of absence rather than the action of disappearing. Alternatives like "be absent" or "be lacking" can provide similar meaning depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be absent

Indicates a state of not being present, focusing on physical absence.

be lacking

Highlights the deficiency or inadequacy of something, emphasizing the need for it.

be unavailable

Emphasizes that something cannot be accessed or obtained.

be gone

Suggests a departure or disappearance, implying a permanent absence.

be lost

Implies that something cannot be found, either physically or metaphorically.

be wanting

Highlights a deficiency or need, often in a more formal or literary context.

be deficient

Focuses on the insufficiency or inadequacy of something, often in a technical or scientific sense.

be omitted

Indicates that something has been intentionally left out or excluded.

be excluded

Highlights that something has been kept out or prevented from being included.

be unaccounted for

Suggests that something is not explained or its whereabouts are unknown.

FAQs

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

Use "be missing" to indicate that something is absent or not present when it is expected to be. For example: "The crucial evidence seems to be missing from the file."

What's a good alternative to "be missing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "be absent", "be lacking", or "be unavailable" to convey a similar meaning.

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

The correct form depends on the subject and tense. "Is missing" is used for singular subjects in the present tense (e.g., "The file is missing"), while "are missing" is used for plural subjects (e.g., "The files are missing"). The phrase "be missing" usually appears after auxiliary verbs (e.g., "will be missing", "might be missing").

What's the difference between "be missing" and "go missing"?

"Be missing" indicates a state of absence, while "go missing" describes the action of disappearing or becoming absent. For example, "The document is missing" (state) versus "The document went missing yesterday" (action).