it has been misplaced

USAGE SUMMARY

"it has been misplaced" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something which has been moved or placed somewhere else accidentally. For example, "I can't find my keys - I think they have been misplaced".

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Re-arrange décor if it has been misplaced.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But it was unclear whether it had been misplaced, taken or had never been recovered from the firehouse.

The New York Times

You know there's trouble when the first object you encounter in a museum exhibition looks as if it had been misplaced from the gift shop.

The New York Times - Arts

(An earlier version of the statement had emphasized the magazine's trust in Jackie, and regretted that it had been "misplaced" — wording that seemed to settle too much responsibility for the story's shortcomings on Jackie and not enough on the reporter or her editors).

The New Yorker

Darwin" in a collection on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, where it had been misplaced for at least decades.

Science Magazine

It is possible that a student has been misplaced for years, and in these cases swift action to place a student in an appropriate setting is crucial.

The New York Times

So it's all the more devastating when we discover that our trust has been misplaced and abused.

The Guardian

It would seem churlish, then, to argue that all of this cheerful decency has been misplaced.

The New Yorker

Thank goodness that longwinded narrative came to an end – although it didn't, because the intact return train ticket that proves his innocence has been misplaced.

Independent

Justin Bieber's video, on Instagram, has more than a million "like"s._ _ It would seem churlish, then, to argue that all of this cheerful decency has been misplaced.

The New Yorker

Officials are uncertain whether the data has been misplaced or stolen.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has been misplaced" when you believe the item is likely to be found again, as opposed to permanently lost or stolen.

Common error

While "it has been misplaced" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing less direct. Consider rewriting as "someone misplaced it" if appropriate and if the actor is known.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been misplaced" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an item is not in its proper location, often implying a temporary state. According to Ludwig, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has been misplaced" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that is not where it should be, as validated by Ludwig. While relatively rare, it appears in neutral contexts such as news and media, wikis, and science. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about what "it" refers to. Though acceptable, consider using active voice constructions for more direct writing. This summary consolidates information from various reputable sources, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the phrase's usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has been lost

Replaces 'misplaced' with 'lost', indicating a more general sense of not knowing the location.

it has been mislaid

Uses 'mislaid' which is a synonym for 'misplaced', suggesting a temporary loss.

it has been put in the wrong place

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the action of placing something incorrectly.

it has been set aside

Suggests the item was deliberately put somewhere, but now the location is forgotten.

it is not where it should be

Emphasizes the item's current location versus its intended location.

it has gone astray

Implies the item has wandered from its proper location.

it cannot be located

Focuses on the inability to find the item.

it has disappeared

Suggests the item is completely missing, potentially more permanent than 'misplaced'.

it is missing

A simpler way of saying something cannot be found.

it has vanished

Implies a sudden and mysterious disappearance.

FAQs

How can I use "it has been misplaced" in a sentence?

You can use "it has been misplaced" to indicate that something is not where it should be, such as, "The report "it has been misplaced", but I'm sure it will turn up soon".

What's the difference between "it has been misplaced" and "it has been lost"?

"It has been misplaced" suggests a temporary situation where something is not in its usual spot but is expected to be found. "It has been lost" implies a more permanent situation where something is missing and may not be recovered.

What are some alternatives to saying "it has been misplaced"?

Alternatives include "it has been lost", "it has been mislaid", or "it is missing", depending on the context and degree of certainty about whether the item will be found.

Is "it has been misplaced" formal or informal?

"It has been misplaced" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more direct language might be preferred in informal settings.