it was missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it was missing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that was unattainable, absent, or lost. For example, "I looked everywhere for my keys, but it was missing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was missing its personal punt protector.

The New York Times - Sports

It was missing its nose, eyes and fistfuls of stuffing.

The New York Times

It was missing its headstock.

Huffington Post

When Larson's car came to a stop, it was missing its entire front end.

HuffPost

It was missing off.

The Guardian - Sport

It was missing the narrative.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was missing the skull.

The New Yorker

It was missing a very important player.

The New York Times - Sports

"But it was missing a space".

The New York Times

HawkEye actually says it was missing.

The Guardian - Sport

Indeed it was missing by miles.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was missing" to clearly and directly indicate the absence of something when describing a state or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "it is missing" when referring to a past situation; ensure the tense aligns with the time frame you are describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was missing" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that something was absent or lacking at a specific point in the past. Ludwig confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was missing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the absence of something in the past. Ludwig confirms its correctness and broad applicability across various contexts. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. The most frequent contexts include news media and scientific literature. When using this phrase, ensure that the tense is consistent with the timeline you are describing to avoid grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was absent

Replaces "missing" with a direct synonym, indicating something was not present.

it was lacking

Emphasizes the deficiency or insufficiency of something.

it was gone

A simpler way to state that something is no longer present.

it had vanished

Suggests something disappeared completely.

it was lost

Indicates that something is no longer in the possession of the owner.

it was not there

A straightforward statement of absence.

it was nowhere to be found

Highlights the unsuccessful attempt to locate something.

it couldn't be located

Passive voice emphasizing the inability to find something.

it was deficient

Focuses on the incompleteness of something due to the absence of a component.

it did not include

Specifies that something was excluded or not part of a whole.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was missing" to indicate that something was absent or lacking in a particular situation. For example, "The key element to their success "it was missing", leading to their downfall".

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

Alternatives include phrases like "it was absent", "it was lacking", or "it was gone", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it was missing"?

Yes, "it was missing" is grammatically correct. It uses the past tense of the verb "to be" with the adjective "missing" to describe a past state of absence.

What's the difference between "it is missing" and "it was missing"?

"It is missing" refers to something that is currently absent, whereas ""it was missing"" refers to something that was absent in the past. The tense indicates the time frame of the absence.