curiously missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "curiously missing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is unexpectedly absent or lacking, often implying a sense of intrigue or surprise about the absence. Example: "The report was thorough, but the key data was curiously missing, raising questions about its accuracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

At the time, Facebook was curiously missing from the product.

The New York Times

As Hague describes his vision of Britain's foreign policy, two terms – "democracy" and "human rights" – are curiously missing.

The Guardian - Opinion

But expression is not personality, in the end, and that is what is so curiously missing from these portraits.

The Guardian - Arts

Curiously missing from Kramer's catalog of options is the unique power that Congress is given by several post-Civil War amendments, to enforce their provisions "by appropriate legislation".

The New York Times - Books

Curiously missing from Gov. George Pataki's recent State of the State Message were any proposals to elevate New York's dismal standards of government ethics.

The New York Times

"He looks so sexy," says one of the women who works there, before installing the footballer's torso – curiously missing the legs that made him famous – in the shop window.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But those who crowed over the margin of victory and the defeat for Mr. Bloomberg curiously missed the larger point.

The New York Times

and "Titanic," Haskell curiously misses its link to the box-office champ "The Godfather," which Paul Zimmerman of Newsweek shrewdly praised in 1972 as "the 'Gone With the Wind' of gangster movies".

The New York Times - Books

Working full-time at Wal-Mart in the U.S. provides a level of income that is below the poverty line....There is also one other point that you curiously missed.

The New York Times

The Internet Movie Database (IMDB), a massive, extremely popular website detailing all aspects of many movies and television shows, has finally added what the site has curiously been missing all along: video footage of full-length movies and TV shows.

TechCrunch

The three words curiously and glaringly missing from C.K.'s statement?

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "curiously missing" when you want to express not just that something is absent, but that its absence is unexpected and raises questions or intrigue. It adds a layer of subtle commentary.

Common error

Avoid using "curiously missing" in highly formal or technical writing where a more direct and neutral term like "notably absent" or "significantly lacking" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "curiously missing" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by an adjectival descriptor. The adverb "curiously" modifies the adjective "missing", emphasizing the unexpected or puzzling nature of something's absence, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "curiously missing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express the unexpected absence of something. Ludwig's analysis indicates its versatility across contexts like news, science and encyclopedias, with a neutral tone. While it's effective for adding a touch of intrigue to your writing, be mindful of its suitability in highly formal contexts where more direct alternatives may be preferable. Top sources like The New York Times and The Guardian demonstrate its usage in reputable publications, validating its place in the English language. The usage examples confirm the AI analysis about the meaning of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strangely lacking

Focuses on the odd or peculiar nature of the deficiency.

oddly absent

Similar to 'strangely lacking', highlighting the unusual nature of the absence.

suspiciously absent

Suggests a deliberate removal or omission, implying potential wrongdoing.

inexplicably missing

Suggests that there's no clear reason or explanation for the absence.

peculiarly absent

Emphasizes the uniqueness or distinctiveness of the absence.

remarkably absent

Emphasizes the surprising or unexpected nature of the absence.

conspicuously absent

Indicates that the absence is very noticeable and hard to ignore.

noticeably absent

Highlights that the absence is easily observed or apparent.

surprisingly absent

Highlights the element of surprise associated with the absence.

unexpectedly absent

Directly points out that the absence was not anticipated.

FAQs

What does "curiously missing" mean?

The phrase "curiously missing" means that something is absent in a way that is strange or unexpected, prompting further thought or inquiry. It suggests more than just a simple absence; it implies a puzzling or intriguing lack.

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

You can use "curiously missing" to describe an element that is unexpectedly absent. For instance, "The key chapter was "noticeably absent" from the report" or "Several important details were "strangely lacking" from the account."

What are some alternatives to "curiously missing"?

Alternatives to "curiously missing" include "noticeably absent", "strangely lacking", "surprisingly absent", or "inexplicably missing". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "curiously missing" formal or informal?

"Curiously missing" is suitable for neutral to slightly informal contexts. In more formal or technical writing, a more direct phrase like "notably absent" or "significantly lacking" may be preferred.