had begun missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had begun missing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something started to be absent or lacking in the past. Example: "By the time the meeting started, he had begun missing important details that were crucial for the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Federer had begun missing shots after lengthy rallies, sending balls wide and long.

The New York Times

The next series of blows came the following spring -- the theater had begun missing payments on the new loan and the anticipated $335,000 from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts became uncertain.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Why do you think you've begun missing your ex? Did anything in particular set you off?

Huffington Post

If you've already begun missing the mark on the intentions you set in the New Year, ask yourself why.

The Guardian - Opinion

Committed to a Cause After more than a year in the trenches at the Quixote Center, Mr. de Blasio had begun to miss the round-the-clock rhythms and Italian food of New York City.

The New York Times

Especially in this industry, people always ask, 'What are you working on next?' But I was so far into that mentality that I had begun to miss the reality of my situation.

The New Yorker

This was a player whose professional career had begun with 21 missed cuts.

BBC

The scrum-half had begun the game by missing a sitter, but like his team he settled down as the game wore on.

The Guardian - Sport

Within hours, Uighurs had begun posting about their own missing relatives.

The New York Times

Few words, though, could bring comfort to the families of those still missing, who had begun to wonder when, if ever, their loved ones might be found, or to the families of those who died.

The New York Times

Rotherham Council leader Paul Lakin has welcomed the report and said an internal inquiry into the missing files had begun but the council planned to bring in an external audit team to complete the task.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had begun missing", ensure it clearly indicates the start of a period where something was absent or lacking. For instance, "After the restructuring, the team had begun missing key deadlines."

Common error

Avoid using "had begun missing" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language like "had started to lack" or "had initiated the absence of" for increased clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had begun missing" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a state of absence or lack. It describes an action that started in the past and has some duration. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had begun missing" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the onset of a state where something is lacking or absent. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively uncommon, it appears primarily in News & Media and Science contexts. For more formal writing, alternatives such as "had started to lack" may be preferred. When using "had begun missing", ensure it accurately conveys the commencement of a deficiency and fits the overall tone and register of your writing. Avoid overuse in very formal contexts for greater clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had started to lack

Emphasizes the commencement of a deficiency or absence.

had commenced to lose

Highlights the initiation of a process of losing something.

had initiated the absence of

Formally denotes the start of something not being present.

had started to omit

Focuses on the beginning of leaving things out or excluding them.

had begun to fail to include

Indicates the start of a failure in incorporating something.

had set about misplacing

Suggests an intentional start of losing items or things.

had initiated forgetting

Focuses on the starting point of forgetting something.

had launched the omission of

Highlights the beginning of leaving something out, often intentionally.

had begun to exclude

Emphasizes starting to leave something out, often deliberately.

had set in motion the loss of

Indicates that the first event in a series has started, resulting in the loss of something.

FAQs

What does "had begun missing" mean?

The phrase "had begun missing" indicates that someone or something started to experience the absence or lack of something. It implies a process that began in the past and continues to some extent.

How can I use "had begun missing" in a sentence?

You can use "had begun missing" to describe a situation where a person or organization started to lack something important. For example: "The company "had begun missing" key opportunities after the merger."

What are some alternatives to "had begun missing"?

Alternatives include "had started to lack", "had commenced to lose", or "had initiated the absence of", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "had begun to miss" instead of "had begun missing"?

Yes, "had begun to miss" is also correct and often more commonly used. Both phrases are grammatically sound, but the choice depends on the intended emphasis and flow of the sentence.