desperately missing

USAGE SUMMARY

'desperately missing' is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is usually used when referring to someone or something that has been taken away and is greatly missed. For example, "She was desperately missing her mother since she had to move away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

He was also desperately missing his wife, Gloria.

The Washington Post

Desperately missing Carlos Beltran, the Mets lost another player.

The New York Times - Sports

Such facility, such belief, was desperately missing in almost everything Chelsea did.

Independent

She worries, too, about her five-year-old son, who is desperately missing his father.

The Guardian

Ultimately, the reason why the Bulls are having trouble coming together might be as simple as they're desperately missing a healthy Joakim Noah.

The Guardian - Sport

It is that sense of wondrous illusion that makes the novel so alluring and romantic and that is desperately missing from the A&E version.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

He desperately misses playing.

The New York Times - Sports

Peter is desperately missed.

The New York Times

He will be desperately missed.

The Washington Post

And she said he desperately missed his son.

The New York Times

Josie will be desperately missed by all who loved her.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "desperately missing" when you want to convey a strong sense of longing or absence. Ensure the context makes it clear who or what is being missed.

Common error

While "desperately missing" is valid, overusing 'desperately' can weaken its impact. Consider varying your language with synonyms like '"sorely missing"' or '"intensely missing"' to maintain clarity and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desperately missing" functions as an adverb-verb construction, where "desperately" modifies "missing" to intensify the feeling of loss or longing. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase follows standard grammar rules and is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "desperately missing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey a strong feeling of longing or absence. Ludwig AI confirms its adherence to standard grammar rules. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse communication contexts. Alternatives like '"badly missing"' and '"sorely missing"' can offer nuanced expressions. When employing the phrase, ensure clarity regarding who or what is being missed, and consider varying your language to avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

badly missing

Similar in meaning, but with slightly less emphasis on the intensity of the feeling.

intensely missing

Focuses more on the intensity of the feeling of missing someone or something.

sorely missing

Implies that the absence is causing pain or difficulty.

deeply longing for

Emphasizes the emotional depth of the desire for something or someone that is absent.

yearning for

Suggests a persistent and heartfelt desire for something.

longing for

A more general expression of wanting something or someone that is not present.

pining for

Suggests a sense of sadness and helplessness due to the absence.

aching for

Emphasizes the painful feeling of missing someone or something.

in dire need of

Shifts the focus to the necessity of having something that is currently absent.

gravely missing

Emphasizes the serious nature of the absence.

FAQs

What does "desperately missing" mean?

The phrase "desperately missing" means experiencing a very strong feeling of sadness or longing for someone or something that is not present.

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

You can use "desperately missing" to describe a strong feeling of loss, as in: "She was "desperately missing" her family after moving to a new country."

What are some alternatives to saying "desperately missing"?

You can use alternatives like '"badly missing"', '"sorely missing"', or '"intensely missing"' depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "desperately missing"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The adverb 'desperately' modifies the verb 'missing', indicating the intensity of the feeling.