he is missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "He is missing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this sentence when describing something, usually a person, that cannot be found. For example: "My brother Tom was supposed to meet me for lunch, but he is missing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He is missing a tooth.

The New Yorker

He is missing the point.

The Guardian

That is what he is missing".

The New Yorker

I'm sure he is missing it.

The Guardian - Sport

"He's just missing, if he is missing".

The New York Times - Sports

"He is missing again; he is still under their control.

The New York Times

The amount of training he is missing is nothing.

The New York Times - Sports

We will never forget that he is missing.

The Guardian

But in a deeper sense he is missing the point.

The New York Times

He is missing so much about what makes Michigan great".

The New Yorker

"He is missing the point that in New Jersey, the tax crisis is singularly property taxes".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is missing" when you want to convey that someone is not present and their location is unknown. It can also imply concern or urgency, especially in contexts where their absence is unexpected.

Common error

Be careful not to use "missing" when you mean "lacking". "Missing" indicates absence in terms of location, while "lacking" indicates absence of a quality or feature. For example, say "He is lacking experience", not "He is missing experience".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is missing" primarily functions as a statement of absence or disappearance. It describes a situation where someone's location is unknown. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used to report that a person's whereabouts are unknown.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he is missing" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that someone's location is unknown. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use, particularly in contexts related to news and media. While simple, the phrase conveys important information and often prompts action or concern. When using this phrase, ensure you are referring to physical absence rather than the absence of a quality or feature. Alternative phrases, such as "he has disappeared" or "he cannot be found", can be used to add nuance to your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he has disappeared

Focuses on the act of vanishing rather than the state of being currently absent.

he cannot be found

Emphasizes the inability to locate the person.

he is nowhere to be seen

Highlights the lack of visual presence.

he is unaccounted for

Implies that his whereabouts are unknown and there's an expectation of knowing.

he is lost

Suggests a state of being unable to find his way or having strayed.

he is absent

Indicates a lack of presence in a specific place or situation.

he is away

Simply states that he is not present, without specifying the reason.

he has gone astray

Suggests he has wandered off, possibly into trouble.

his whereabouts are unknown

Focuses on the fact that nobody knows where he is.

he is out of reach

Highlights the inability to contact him.

FAQs

How can I use "he is missing" in a sentence?

You can use "he is missing" to indicate that someone's location is unknown and they are absent. For example: "The police are searching for a boy, and "he is missing" since yesterday."

What are some alternatives to "he is missing"?

Some alternatives to "he is missing" include "he has disappeared", "he is lost", or "he cannot be found", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "he is missed" instead of "he is missing"?

No, "he is missed" and "he is missing" have different meanings. "He is missed" means that people feel his absence and long for his presence. "He is missing" means that his location is unknown.

When is it appropriate to use "he is missing"?

It's appropriate to use "he is missing" when you want to describe that a person is not where they are expected to be, and their whereabouts are unknown. This is commonly used in news reports or when expressing concern about someone's well-being.