have gone missing

USAGE SUMMARY

"have gone missing" is a correct phrase and is often used in written English.
You can use the phrase to describe when someone or something has disappeared without explanation. For example: "Two young children have gone missing in the nearby town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It seems to have gone missing.

The New Yorker

More than 30 manhole covers have gone missing since March.

The New York Times

Tusks also have gone missing in Botswana and other countries.

The New York Times

But it seems billions of dollars may have gone missing".

The New York Times - Magazine

Many, many have gone missing from the camp.

The Guardian

Some wall segments might have gone missing forever.

The Guardian

SUBSCRIBERS to print newspapers have gone missing, as everyone knows.

The New York Times

Qualities that have gone missing in many modern cricketers.

The Guardian - Books

Hundreds of people have gone missing in Tripoli.

The Guardian

The prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, appears to have gone missing.

The Guardian - Opinion

And some products have gone missing from stores with hardly an explanation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on missing persons or items, ensure the context provides enough information to understand the circumstances of the disappearance. For example, specify when and where the person or item was last seen.

Common error

Avoid using "has gone missing" when referring to multiple subjects. The correct form is "have gone missing" for plural subjects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have gone missing" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something or someone is no longer present or cannot be found. According to Ludwig, it is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a disappearance without explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

14%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have gone missing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something or someone has disappeared. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and is often used in written English.

Based on the analysis, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts. While versatile, careful attention should be paid to subject-verb agreement, particularly avoiding "has gone missing" with plural subjects.

Alternative phrases such as "have disappeared" or "are missing" can be used depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey. This phrase is generally neutral in register and serves to report a disappearance, often implying a need for investigation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are missing

A more concise way of saying someone or something is not present or has disappeared.

have disappeared

Uses a different verb to convey the same meaning of vanishing or being absent.

have vanished

Similar to 'disappeared' but often suggests a more sudden or mysterious disappearance.

have been lost

Indicates that something or someone is no longer where they should be, implying a state of being unrecoverable.

are unaccounted for

Highlights the lack of knowledge about someone's or something's whereabouts.

cannot be found

Emphasizes the inability to locate someone or something.

are nowhere to be seen

Indicates that someone or something is absent and not visible.

are absent without leave

Implies a deliberate absence without permission, typically in a formal setting.

have absconded

Suggests a secret and hurried departure, often to avoid detection or legal consequences.

have strayed

Implies wandering off or deviating from a set path or location.

FAQs

How can I use "have gone missing" in a sentence?

The phrase "have gone missing" is used to describe the disappearance of something or someone. For example, "Several important documents "have gone missing" from the office" or "Two hikers "have gone missing" in the national park".

What are some alternative phrases for "have gone missing"?

Alternatives include "have disappeared", "are missing", or "are unaccounted for". The choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "has gone missing" instead of "have gone missing"?

"Has gone missing" is used for singular subjects, while "have gone missing" is used for plural subjects. For example, "The key has gone missing" (singular) versus "The keys have gone missing" (plural).

What is the difference between "have gone missing" and "have been missing"?

"Have gone missing" usually implies a more recent or sudden disappearance, whereas "have been missing" suggests a state that has persisted for some time. For instance, "The child has gone missing" suggests the disappearance just occurred, while "The child "has been missing" for three days" indicates a prolonged absence.