it went missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it went missing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has disappeared or can no longer be located. For example, "My dog went missing last week, and I still haven't been able to find him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Consequently, I find myself becoming rather attached to Ed Davey in the same way I'm attached to my toaster: My world wouldn't fall apart if it went missing but things would seem marginally trickier in its absence.

Independent

Well, after that dinner, it went missing.

Princeton University

Regulators believe it went missing shortly before the broker's collapse.

The Guardian - Business

I played it very loud every morning till it went missing.

Independent

It's not clear that DeVos would have even noticed if it went missing.

The Guardian

Much has been learned about the cornerstone, except for two salient details: Where it is and when it went missing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

She's since noticed more of it going missing from the fridge.

Independent

Will's controversial new play is about to be presented to the queen when it goes missing.

BBC

When did it go missing?

WikiHow

Why did it go missing?

WikiHow

Get a set per child, plus a spare in case it goes missing.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing crime reports or narratives, use "it went missing" to clearly and simply state an object's disappearance without implying theft unless supported by evidence.

Common error

While "it went missing" is correct for objects, avoid using it for people. Instead, say "they went missing" or "they disappeared" to avoid sounding unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it went missing" functions as a statement of disappearance, indicating that a particular object or item is no longer present or has been lost. Ludwig provides many examples showing its application in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it went missing" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the disappearance of an object or item. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate for use in various contexts, mainly in News & Media. While versatile, avoid using "it went missing" when referring to people; instead, opt for alternatives such as "they went missing" or "they disappeared". Remember to tailor your language to suit the specific situation and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it disappeared

Replaces "went missing" with a single synonym, focusing on the act of disappearing.

it vanished

Similar to "disappeared", but often implies a sudden and mysterious disappearance.

it was lost

Uses a passive voice construction to indicate the item is no longer in its place.

it was misplaced

Suggests the item was put in the wrong place, leading to its disappearance.

it turned up missing

Emphasizes the discovery of the item's absence.

it could not be found

A more formal and explicit way of stating that the item is absent.

it has gone astray

Implies the item has wandered off or deviated from its intended path or location.

it is nowhere to be seen

Highlights the lack of visual confirmation of the item's whereabouts.

it is irretrievable

Suggests the item is not only lost, but also impossible to recover.

its whereabouts are unknown

Formally states that the item's location is not known.

FAQs

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

Use "it went missing" to describe when an object disappeared or cannot be found. For instance, "The key piece to the puzzle "it went missing", stalling our progress."

What's a more formal alternative to "it went missing"?

Alternatives such as "it could not be found" or "its whereabouts are unknown" offer a more formal tone. These phrases are suitable for official reports or professional communications.

Is it appropriate to use "it went missing" for living beings?

While grammatically correct, using "it went missing" for a person or animal sounds unnatural. Use "they went missing" or "they disappeared" instead.

Which is correct, "it went missing" or "it was missing"?

"It went missing" indicates the action of disappearing, while "it was missing" describes a state of absence. "It went missing" implies something disappeared at some point, whereas "it was missing" suggests it was absent when needed.