considered missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "considered missing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something or someone is officially recognized as absent or unaccounted for. Example: "After the storm, several boats were considered missing, prompting a search and rescue operation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Since the war ended, the military has accounted for 768 Americans originally considered missing.

The New York Times

There are always a lot of women that age considered missing by somebody.

The New Yorker

Under Russian law, a person is not considered missing until three days have passed.

The New York Times

Those who had been relocated here were considered missing by their relatives, as if they had disappeared into oblivion.

The Guardian

Thomas W. Fritsch of Cromwell had been identified, along with 11 other servicemen who had been considered missing in action.

The New York Times

John Quigley, a spokesman for the Atlanta police, said the 44-year-old Avery is still considered missing.

The New York Times - Sports

In all, nearly 70,000 people died in the quake and 18,000 are considered missing; officials now say those still missing are almost certainly dead.

The New York Times

Among those who perished, the bodies of six more marines who had been considered missing since March 23 were identified last week.

The New York Times

More than 1,800 Americans are considered missing in action from the Vietnam War, with 1,381 of those within Vietnam itself, according to the Department of Defense.

The New York Times

The waiting -- those endless weeks when the marines were considered missing -- was the most anxious period of all in some homes.

The New York Times

For two years, Mr. Beets had been considered missing until investigators in Henderson County discovered his body buried beneath a wishing well in Ms. Beets's yard.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, use "considered missing" to refer to data points or variables that are absent from a dataset. Clearly define the criteria by which data is "considered missing".

Common error

Do not use "considered missing" when you simply mean something is not present or available. "Considered missing" implies a more formal assessment or classification. For example, don't say 'My keys are considered missing' unless you've formally reported them as such. Instead, say 'My keys are missing'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "considered missing" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes a state where someone or something is officially or formally recognized as being absent or unaccounted for, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

56%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "considered missing" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjectival phrase that indicates a formal acknowledgment of absence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is best suited for neutral to formal contexts, such as news reports, scientific studies, and official communications. While alternatives like "presumed lost" or "deemed absent" exist, "considered missing" carries a specific nuance of official recognition that should be considered when choosing the most appropriate term. Remember to reserve the phrase for situations where there is a formal assessment and to avoid using it casually when simply indicating that something is not present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thought to be missing

Indicates a belief that someone or something is not present.

reported absent

Someone made a declaration about someones or something's absence.

deemed absent

Emphasizes a formal judgment of absence.

regarded as absent

Similar to 'deemed absent' but slightly less formal.

presumed lost

Suggests a likelihood of being lost, often implying a search or investigation.

understood to be absent

Suggests a general understanding or agreement that someone or something is not present.

believed unaccounted for

Focuses on the lack of accounting for someone or something.

accounted as missing

Involves the act of accounting for someone or something as missing.

catalogued as missing

Highlights the listing of someone or something as missing, often in an official record.

classified as lost

Implies a formal classification of being lost, similar to 'catalogued as missing'.

FAQs

How is "considered missing" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "considered missing" is often used to describe a person or object that has been formally reported or assessed as absent or lost. For instance, 'After the earthquake, many people were "considered missing" until they were located or accounted for'.

What's the difference between "missing" and "considered missing"?

"Missing" generally indicates something is absent. "Considered missing", however, implies a formal or official acknowledgment of that absence, often by an authority or organization. It suggests a degree of investigation or assessment beyond simple absence.

Can I use other alternatives to "considered missing"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use phrases like "presumed lost", "thought to be missing", or "deemed absent". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "considered missing" appropriate for informal contexts?

While grammatically correct, "considered missing" leans towards formal or official contexts. In informal situations, simply saying something or someone is "missing" is usually sufficient and more natural.