disappearing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'disappearing' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a verb, an adjective, or a noun. Example sentence: The magician made the rabbit disappear with a wave of his wand.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is understood that the Boston archive includes claims by both dead and living IRA members that Adams as a senior commander in the organisation in 1972 came up with the idea of "disappearing" McConville rather than publicly admit the terror group had killed her.

The Guardian

In the distance, two empty lifts rise and fall, out of time with each other, as they make their way towards the roof, then begin a slow descent, disappearing into the shafts and continuing down to the ground floor.

The Guardian - Arts

The votive lights placed under the picture of the Sacred Heart were disappearing in country B&Bs.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The feeling of lack of presence, lack of physicality, the feeling that the world is disappearing into images and stories and his description of what he experienced on the island [Utoya].

The Guardian - Books

We arrived in Patnem two weeks before the season ended, and more than one beach cafe a day was disappearing.

The Guardian - Travel

The net effect: not only are you worrying about juggling your finances and losing those stubborn extra pounds, but you're also fretting about the economy, people suffering in conflict zones, disappearing glaciers and endangered species.

The Guardian

What we are clearly seeing as a result is that seed diversity is disappearing in Africa, while communities complain that the new varieties are tasteless, lack nutrition, or are more vulnerable to particular pests".

The Guardian

Thousands of migrant children are disappearing after arriving in mainland Europe, triggering concerns that they are falling prey to a new and thriving market for child trafficking and forced labour.

The Guardian

As a result of urban development, gentrification, or changes in council policy – not to mention the impact of big superstores and online shopping – food and goods markets in towns and cities across the UK are in danger of disappearing.

The Guardian

"There are many cases of women disappearing – we've received reports from several family members.

The Guardian

Because there is a unisex trend happening – at least in the upper echelons of fashion – that makes it feel as if gender is disappearing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disappearing", consider the context to determine if a more specific synonym like "evaporating" or "vanishing" might be more appropriate to convey the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "disappearing" in highly formal or academic writing when a more precise or technical term could be used. For instance, in scientific contexts, consider using "degrading" or "decaying" instead of "disappearing" to describe the breakdown of a substance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "disappearing" is as a present participle or gerund, often functioning as a verb in continuous tenses (e.g., "The sun is disappearing") or as a noun (e.g., "The disappearing of the forest"). Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "disappearing" is a versatile term used to describe the process of something vanishing or ceasing to exist. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It functions primarily as a verb, often in continuous tenses, but can also serve as a noun. The term is frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, indicating its broad applicability. While generally neutral in register, choosing more precise synonyms like "evaporating" or "vanishing" can enhance clarity and impact in specific situations. Common errors involve using "disappearing" when a more technical term would be more appropriate in academic or scientific writing. Source quality for examples of "disappearing" is high, with frequent mentions in sources such as The Guardian and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vanishing

Replaces "disappearing" with a synonym that emphasizes the suddenness of the vanishing.

going missing

Suggests a disappearance that is unexplained or mysterious.

fading away

Emphasizes the gradual nature of something disappearing.

becoming invisible

Focuses on the inability to see something that was once visible.

evaporating

Suggests a disappearance that is complete and leaves no trace.

becoming extinct

Specifically refers to the disappearance of species.

dwindling

Indicates a gradual reduction in size or number until something disappears.

dissipating

Implies a gradual dispersal and disappearance.

phasing out

Refers to a planned or systematic disappearance.

passing from the scene

A more formal or literary way of saying disappearing.

FAQs

How can I use "disappearing" in a sentence?

You can use "disappearing" to describe something that is vanishing or ceasing to exist, such as, "The ice caps are "disappearing" due to climate change."

What can I say instead of "disappearing"?

You can use alternatives like "vanishing", "fading away", or "evaporating" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "disappearing" or "gone"?

Both "disappearing" and "gone" can be correct, but they have different meanings. "Disappearing" implies a process of vanishing, while "gone" indicates a completed state of being absent.

What's the difference between "disappearing" and "evaporating"?

"Disappearing" is a general term for something ceasing to be visible or present. "Evaporating" specifically refers to a liquid changing into a gas, thus vanishing from sight.