go missing

USAGE SUMMARY

"go missing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about something that has gone missing, or gone unseen. For example, "The cat seemed to have gone missing overnight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People go missing.

University of Pennsylvania

When people go missing".

Independent

Things go missing!

The New Yorker

Pronouns go missing.

Independent

Their emails go missing.

The Guardian

We've seen airliners go missing.

Cornell University

Payments also go missing altogether.

Independent

Sometimes he would go missing.

The Guardian

Mothers and boyfriends go missing.

The New York Times - Books

Did anyone actually go missing?

The Guardian

Dogs go missing, and people too.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go missing" when referring to people, objects, or information that have disappeared or are lost. This phrase is widely understood and suitable for various contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "go missing" when a passive voice construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The document went missing by accident", consider saying "The document was accidentally lost" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go missing" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often acting as the predicate of a sentence. It describes the action of disappearing or becoming lost. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

8%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "go missing" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of disappearing or becoming lost. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is widely accepted and grammatically correct. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for a variety of contexts, from news reports to casual conversation. While alternatives such as "disappear without a trace" or "vanish into thin air" exist, "go missing" remains a common and straightforward choice for conveying this meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disappear without a trace

Emphasizes the lack of any evidence or clues about the disappearance.

vanish into thin air

Suggests a sudden and mysterious disappearance.

become lost

Implies unintentional disappearance, often due to being disoriented.

be unaccounted for

Focuses on the lack of explanation or record for someone's absence.

turn up missing

Highlights the discovery that someone is absent, often unexpectedly.

go astray

Indicates deviating from the intended path or course, leading to disappearance.

be nowhere to be found

Emphasizes the fruitless search for the missing person or object.

absent oneself

Suggests a deliberate act of leaving or disappearing.

slip away

Implies a quiet and unnoticed departure.

be off the radar

Indicates a disappearance from attention or communication.

FAQs

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

You can use "go missing" to describe someone or something that has disappeared or is lost. For example, "The hiker "went missing" in the mountains", or "Important files sometimes "go missing" from the office".

What are some alternatives to "go missing"?

Alternatives to "go missing" include phrases like "disappear without a trace", "vanish into thin air", or "become lost". The best alternative depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "went missing" or "gone missing"?

Both "went missing" and "gone missing" are grammatically correct. "Went missing" is the simple past tense, while "gone missing" is the past participle used in perfect tenses. For example, "He "went missing" last week" and "He has "gone missing"" are both correct.

What's the difference between "go missing" and "be missing"?

"Go missing" describes the act of disappearing, while "be missing" describes the state of being absent or lost. For example, "The child "went missing" yesterday" describes the disappearance, while "The child is still "missing"" describes the current state.