is missing

USAGE SUMMARY

"is missing" is correct and usable in written English.
When something should be present in a certain scenario, but isn't, you can use the phrase "is missing" to explain this. For example, "The book in the library shelf is missing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"My mother is missing.

The New York Times

ZELIG is missing.

The New York Times

"Everything is missing.

The New York Times

The fizz is missing.

The New York Times

But something is missing.

The Economist

Harkness Cythera is missing.

The New Yorker

Only insight is missing.

The New York Times

So what is missing?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

He is missed.

The New York Times

She is missed already.

The New York Times

Quantitative results were missing.

Fusion Engineering and Design

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is missing" to describe a person, ensure context clarifies whether it means they are simply absent or if their disappearance is concerning and requires action.

Common error

Avoid using "is missing" when you mean someone feels the absence of something. "Is missing" indicates something is absent, while "misses" indicates someone feels the lack of something or someone. For example, say "She misses her family", not "She is missing her family".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is missing" functions primarily as a stative verb phrase, indicating a state of absence or lack. It's used to describe that something or someone is not present or cannot be found. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

26%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is missing" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a state of absence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it finds frequent application across diverse contexts, including news media, academia, and formal business communication. The phrase serves to inform about something or someone that is absent, often prompting further action. While versatile, it's important to differentiate its usage from similar terms like "misses" to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is absent

Indicates a temporary or permanent absence, differing from "is missing" which often implies a search or concern.

is gone

Suggests something has departed or disappeared, which can be a more general term than "is missing".

is lacking

Focuses on the deficiency or absence of something needed or expected.

is not present

A more formal way of saying something is not there, emphasizing its absence.

cannot be found

Emphasizes the inability to locate something, suggesting a search has been unsuccessful.

is unavailable

Highlights that something is not accessible or obtainable at the moment.

is nowhere to be seen

Emphasizes the inability to find something despite looking for it.

has disappeared

Suggests a sudden or mysterious vanishing, adding an element of surprise or concern.

is wanting

Implies a deficiency or lack, often in a specific quality or attribute.

is deficient

Highlights a lack of necessary qualities or elements, often in a technical or formal context.

FAQs

How to use "is missing" in a sentence?

Use "is missing" to indicate that something or someone cannot be found or is absent. For example, "The key "is missing" from the lock" or "My dog "is missing" and I'm worried".

What can I say instead of "is missing"?

You can use alternatives like "is absent", "is gone", or "is lacking" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is missing" or "misses"?

The correct choice depends on the intended meaning. "Is missing" means something cannot be found or is absent, while "misses" means someone feels the absence of something. For example, "The book "is missing" from the shelf" versus "She misses her friends".

What's the difference between "is missing" and "has disappeared"?

"Is missing" indicates something is currently not found, while "has disappeared" suggests something vanished, often unexpectedly. "The report "is missing"" implies it's not currently available. "The plane "has disappeared"" suggests a more mysterious or concerning vanishing.