found to be missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "found to be missing" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe something that has been lost or is not present. For example: "After reviewing the inventory, it was found that several items were found to be missing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Danielle was found to be missing from her bedroom on the morning of Feb. 2.

The New York Times

But bolts were then found to be missing from its base.

The New York Times

Two other birds from the same enclosure were then found to be missing.

Independent

The work, Les Choristes (The Chorus), was found to be missing from the Musée Cantini by a security guard when he opened up.

The Guardian - Arts

Instead, officers blamed it on a supposed robbery, because Kato lived in a rough neighborhood, though no valuables were found to be missing from his home.

The New Yorker

Nothing has been found to be missing, and the offices of two other unrelated companies in the same building were broken into the same night.

The New York Times

Later it was disclosed, after the records of those expenditures suddenly were found to be missing, that the records had been burned.

The New York Times

One child was found to be missing at the last minute in Haiti, and Jamie McMutrie stayed behind to find her.

The New York Times

At the 2011 Indianapolis 500, Tony Kanaan was found to be missing the 1.5 pound dummy camera in his car's mirror.

The New York Times

When the box was unloaded the day before Horatio and the rest of the expedition arrived, equipment for the trip wire was found to be missing.

Independent

Two months after it was found to be missing, no customer money has been recovered, though investigators have tracked where some of it went.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "found to be missing", ensure the context clearly indicates what is missing and the circumstances surrounding its disappearance. For instance, specify where the item was last seen or what checks were performed to discover its absence.

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice unnecessarily. Instead of "The keys were found to be missing", consider "We found the keys were missing" for a more direct and active sentence structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "found to be missing" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used in the passive voice to indicate that something or someone has been discovered to be absent or lost. This usage is supported by Ludwig's examples across various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

38%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "found to be missing" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that describes the discovery of something or someone's absence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It commonly appears in news reports, scientific literature, and other formal contexts, highlighting its versatility and reliability. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, awareness of its use in formal versus informal settings is recommended. For more direct communication, active voice constructions can be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discovered to be absent

This alternative uses "absent" to emphasize the lack of presence, which provides a slightly different nuance compared to "missing".

determined to be lost

This phrase uses "lost", suggesting the item is not only absent but also possibly irretrievable, which is slightly different from simply being "missing".

revealed to be lacking

This alternative emphasizes the deficiency or absence of something that was expected or required.

ascertained to be gone

Uses "gone" to convey the item is no longer present, providing a simpler and more direct alternative.

realized to be absent

This alternative focuses on the realization or awareness of the absence.

turned up missing

This phrase uses "turned up", suggesting something unexpectedly became missing, adding a layer of surprise or unexpectedness.

came up short

This idiom suggests a deficit or lack, often used in contexts where a specific quantity or requirement was not met.

was noticed to be gone

This phrase emphasizes the act of noticing or observing that something is no longer there.

was identified as absent

This alternative specifies the identification of the absence, often in a formal or systematic context.

proven to be lacking

This alternative uses "lacking" to suggest a deficiency or inadequacy that has been demonstrated or proven.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "found to be missing" in a formal context?

In formal contexts, you can replace "found to be missing" with alternatives like "discovered to be absent" or "determined to be lost" to maintain a professional tone.

What are some common things that are "found to be missing"?

Common items "found to be missing" include objects like keys, wallets, documents, or even people in missing person reports. The phrase is versatile and applicable to any item or individual that is absent unexpectedly.

Is "found to be missing" the same as "reported missing"?

"Found to be missing" indicates the discovery of an absence, whereas "reported missing" implies that the absence has been formally documented or communicated to authorities. The former is a discovery, while the latter is an official declaration.

Which is more appropriate: "was found to be missing" or "were found to be missing"?

Use "was found to be missing" for singular subjects (e.g., "The document was found to be missing") and "were found to be missing" for plural subjects (e.g., "The files were found to be missing").