become missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become missing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something or someone that has disappeared or is no longer present. Example: "The documents were supposed to be on my desk, but they seem to have become missing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

If you open Safari using a link button in iOS 6, the address bar and bottom (back/forward button will become missing), so keep this in mind.

WikiHow

Don't even remove them when your kids are in their stroller, as it can take only a few seconds for the kid to get out and become missing (the leashes only would allow the child to go so far as you'd allow them to go).

WikiHow

AMBER Alerts let you know when a child has become missing and gives you all of the specific details so that you can keep an eye out, or if you've already seen something.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

What was clear, too, was that the full implication of tinier, airborne spores had not been thought through; early hints, like the P Street worker, had become missed opportunities rather than signal flares suggesting that more testing might be needed.

The New York Times

Time and again, moments of public outrage become missed opportunities, allowed to fade away without being seized as the moment to do something permanently edifying about the way in which the country is governed.

The Guardian - Opinion

After her father became missing on Sept. 11, Jeannette reminded her mother about that Christmas Eve.

The New York Times

And fantastic job, CNN, for proving unequivocally that prior to its disappearance, the aircraft that became "missing Malaysian Airlines Flight 370," definitely, definitely existed.

Huffington Post

Because the primary outcome and majority of the secondary outcomes were analysed using survival analysis, any missing data were censored at the point when the data became missing.

British Medical Journal

Those weeks and months were a demarcation point where promise became missed opportunity.

Huffington Post

She was also a member of the sorority Pi Beta Phi Alabama Gamma chapter, becoming the fourth Pi Beta Phi to become Miss America (Marilyn Van Derbur, Jackie Mayer and Susan Akin).

Wikipedia

(She eventually got bored with the genre and gave it up. "I didn't want to become Miss Lonelyhearts," she said).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become missing" when you want to emphasize the process of something disappearing rather than simply stating it is missing. For instance, "The data become missing after the system update" suggests a cause.

Common error

Avoid using "become missing" in simple situations where "is missing" or "went missing" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can sound unnatural or overly formal in casual contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become missing" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating a change of state. It describes the action of something transitioning from being present to being absent. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is used, albeit not frequently, in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become missing" is a grammatically correct but relatively uncommon way to describe something disappearing. According to Ludwig, it emphasizes the process of transitioning to a state of absence. While alternatives like "go missing" are more frequently used, "become missing" can add a nuanced layer to your writing, particularly when highlighting the how or why of the disappearance. Ludwig’s analysis suggests that although present in news, wiki, and scientific contexts, this phrase maintains a slightly formal tone, making it well-suited for descriptive or analytical narratives. Using it sparingly and deliberately can enhance your writing, but avoiding overuse will prevent it from sounding unnatural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go missing

A more common and direct way of saying something disappeared.

disappear

Implies a sudden and complete vanishing.

get lost

Suggests accidental misplacement rather than intentional removal.

be lost

Describes the state of being unrecoverable or misplaced.

be unaccounted for

Indicates that something is not recorded or its whereabouts are unknown.

be nowhere to be found

Emphasizes the inability to locate something despite searching.

vanish without a trace

Highlights the complete absence of any indication of where something went.

cease to exist

Indicates a complete termination of existence.

fade away

Suggests a gradual disappearance or decline.

evaporate

Implies a sudden and mysterious disappearance, often figuratively.

FAQs

What does "become missing" mean?

The phrase "become missing" describes the process of something or someone disappearing or no longer being present. It implies a transformation from a state of presence to a state of absence.

When is it appropriate to use "become missing"?

It is appropriate to use "become missing" when you want to emphasize the change in state. For a more direct alternative, consider using "go missing".

What are some alternatives to "become missing"?

Some alternatives to "become missing" include "disappear", "get lost", or "be unaccounted for". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "become missing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "become missing" is grammatically correct, though it is less common than other alternatives such as "go missing". It is generally used in more formal or descriptive contexts.