metadata are missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "metadata are missing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that essential information about data is not available or has not been provided. Example: "Before we can proceed with the analysis, we need to address the issue that metadata are missing from the dataset."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Once the files have passed syntactic validation, the different type of quality issues generally fall into one of the following two categories: (1) Core or metadata are missing.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Most digital images on the internet today are orphans - the metadata is missing or has been stripped by a large organisation," Orlowski wrote.

BBC

The main problem is metadata handling: these tables show specific parameters, but metadata such as historical documentation, photographs, texts, etc. are missing, despite being strongly required in heritage field [34, 35, 70, 71].

Heritage Science

In a joint submission, the groups said agencies seeking access to metadata would "naturally tend to 'ask for everything' because completeness lowers the risk of any small detail being missed".

The Guardian

Metadata are a potentially lucrative business.

The Economist

Metadata are, literally, "data about data".

The Guardian - Opinion

AFP requests for accessing a journalist's metadata are rare".

The Guardian

In our world of pervasive communications, metadata are incredibly informative.

The Guardian - Opinion

Metadata are presented where available.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

These metadata are indexed and thus searchable.

Bioinformatics

Determine whether metadata is complete (i.e., all required metadata are present).

F1000Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting that "metadata are missing", specify which metadata elements are absent to provide clarity and context. For example, instead of simply stating "metadata are missing", specify "key descriptive metadata, such as creation date and author, are missing".

Common error

Ensure you use the correct verb conjugation. "Metadata" is plural; therefore, use "are" instead of "is" in the phrase "metadata are missing". Using "metadata is missing" is a common grammatical error, though sometimes accepted in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "metadata are missing" functions as a statement identifying the absence of descriptive information associated with data. It points out a deficiency that may hinder the proper understanding, management, or use of that data. Ludwig provides examples from scientific and news contexts where this phrase is used to highlight such deficiencies.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "metadata are missing" is grammatically sound and serves to highlight the absence of descriptive data. Although "metadata is missing" is sometimes used colloquially, "metadata are missing" is correct. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usage across both scientific and news contexts. As the examples show, it's often found when discussing data quality, accessibility, and the importance of complete information. When using this phrase, clarity is key, specifying exactly which metadata elements are lacking. Though not very common, the phrase is understandable and clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

metadata is absent

Changes from plural to singular form, emphasizing the absence of metadata in general.

metadata is lacking

Replaces "missing" with "lacking", indicating a deficiency in metadata.

metadata is unavailable

Uses "unavailable" instead of "missing", suggesting metadata exists but cannot be accessed.

metadata is incomplete

Indicates that metadata exists but is not fully present or comprehensive.

required metadata is absent

Specifies that essential metadata is not present.

essential metadata is missing

Highlights the absence of crucial metadata.

metadata has not been provided

Emphasizes the failure to supply metadata.

metadata was not included

Indicates metadata was omitted from a dataset or record.

there is no metadata

Directly states the complete absence of metadata.

the metadata field is empty

Focuses on the emptiness of the space allocated for metadata.

FAQs

When should I use the phrase "metadata are missing"?

Use "metadata are missing" when you want to indicate that essential descriptive information about data is not available or has not been provided. This is often crucial for understanding the data's context and proper usage.

What's a more formal way to say "metadata are missing"?

In a formal context, you might prefer alternatives such as "metadata is absent" or "metadata is lacking". These options provide a slightly more elevated tone.

Is it grammatically correct to say "metadata is missing"?

While "metadata is missing" might be heard in informal speech, the grammatically correct form is "metadata are missing" because "metadata" is the plural form of "metadata". Using "are" ensures proper subject-verb agreement.

What are some potential consequences if "metadata are missing"?

If "metadata are missing", it can lead to difficulties in data discovery, understanding, and proper utilization. It also impacts the ability to effectively manage, preserve, and share data resources, as well as making it harder to reproduce studies or confirm the reliability of information.