he was missing

USAGE SUMMARY

"he was missing" is a valid and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who was not present or whose whereabouts are unknown. For example, "The police searched for the missing child, but he was missing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

He was missing some teeth.

The New Yorker

Maybe he was missing something.

The New York Times - Magazine

And now he was missing.

The New York Times

He was missing an arm.

The Guardian - Books

Nobody here knew he was missing.

The New Yorker

When the date arrived, he was missing.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

How he was missed.

BBC

He was missed.

Los Angeles Times

When he killed himself, he was missed.

Huffington Post

He's missing out!

The New York Times - Travel

He's missing the point.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was missing" to clearly and directly indicate that someone or something is not present or cannot be found. It's versatile enough for both literal and figurative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "he was missing" in overly passive constructions. While grammatically correct, excessive passivity can weaken your writing. Opt for active voice where possible for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was missing" functions primarily as part of a verb phrase indicating a state of absence, loss, or lack. Ludwig AI affirms this with numerous examples showing its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was missing" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to denote absence or lack, as verified by Ludwig. It functions within a verb phrase and serves to inform about the absence of something or someone, fitting a neutral register. While its primary usage lies within news and media contexts, it is also applicable across formal and informal settings. It's a versatile phrase for expressing absence in both literal and figurative scenarios. Ludwig AI provides abundant examples showcasing its correct and varied usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was gone

A simple and direct way of stating absence.

he had disappeared

Focuses on the act of vanishing or becoming absent.

he was absent

Emphasizes the state of not being present.

he was not present

A more formal way of saying he was absent.

he was nowhere to be found

Highlights the inability to locate someone or something.

he was short of

Indicates a lack of something needed.

he was lacking

Shifts the focus to something being deficient or incomplete.

he did not have

Indicates a deficiency in possession.

he was deficient

A formal term for lacking an essential quality or element.

he was deprived of

Emphasizes the act of being denied something.

FAQs

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

You can use "he was missing" to indicate someone's absence, as in "he was missing from the meeting". It can also refer to a lack of something, such as "he was missing the point".

What are some alternatives to saying "he was missing"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "he was absent", "he had disappeared", or "he was gone" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "he was miss" instead of "he was missing"?

No, "he was miss" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase to use is "he was missing", which accurately conveys the idea of absence or lack.

What's the difference between "he was missing" and "he was missed"?

"he was missing" means that someone or something is absent. "He was missed" means that someone felt his absence.