miss a word

USAGE SUMMARY

"miss a word" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that a speaker or writer has left out a word in their speech or writing. For example, "I meant to say 'The exam was difficult,' but I think I missed a word."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

If they miss a word, people can die".

Independent

"And the listeners in the back are reading along, so you can't miss a word".

The New Yorker

Smiling mischievously, articulating each syllable slowly and precisely, he read them out loud: "I never miss a word".

The New York Times

The Hunger Games, Peeta Mellark 9. "'Fire is catching!' I am shouting now, determined that he will not miss a word.

Independent

Avoiding the minor discomfort of a headset means giving up simultaneous conversation; while you are speaking, no one can speak to you, so you might miss a word.

The New York Times - Tech

When food is done well on radio, it can make you pull a pot off the stove and concentrate so you don't miss a word.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

"Without missing a word, I did it," she said.

The Washington Post

When Poltoi missed a word, she pinched her own hand, but not hard.

The New Yorker

I went back over chapters to make sure I had not missed a word.

The New York Times - Books

Wildcard search plus a phrase search allows you to find quotes where you're missing a word.

Columbia University

Reporters have napped during a Heath speech in the House, but no one ever missed a word of Wilson's.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When taking notes, use abbreviations and symbols to quickly capture information and reduce the chance to "miss a word".

Common error

Avoid using "missing a word" when you mean "miss a word". "Missing a word" implies that a word is absent from something, while "miss a word" means you failed to perceive or understand it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "miss a word" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a failure to perceive or understand a specific word in speech or writing. Ludwig highlights its use in diverse contexts, demonstrating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "miss a word" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of failing to perceive or understand a spoken or written word. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is frequently found in news and media contexts, highlighting its relevance in everyday communication. While seemingly simple, understanding its proper usage and avoiding confusion with similar phrases like "missing a word" can enhance clarity and precision in writing and speech. When communicating, be mindful of context so you don't "miss a word".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overlook a word

Replaces "miss" with "overlook", implying a slight unintentional oversight.

skip a word

Uses "skip" instead of "miss", suggesting a more deliberate or unintentional omission.

fail to catch a word

Emphasizes the failure in understanding or hearing a specific word.

lose track of a word

Indicates a loss of focus, leading to not registering a word.

neglect a word

Suggests a disregarding of a word, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

not hear a word

Focuses on the auditory aspect of missing information.

misunderstand a word

Implies that the word was perceived, but its meaning was not correctly grasped.

drop a syllable

Refers to omitting a syllable within a word, rather than missing the whole word.

omit a detail

Shifts the focus from a specific word to a more general detail, of which a word could be a part.

misinterpret a term

Highlights the faulty interpretation of a specific term.

FAQs

How can I use "miss a word" in a sentence?

You can use "miss a word" to describe failing to hear, understand, or include a word. For example, "The speaker talked so fast that I often "miss a word"."

What's a similar phrase to "miss a word"?

Similar phrases include "overlook a word", "skip a word", or "fail to catch a word". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "miss a word" or "missing a word"?

The more appropriate option hinges on your intended message. Employ "miss a word" to denote an instance of failing to perceive or comprehend a term. Conversely, utilize "missing a word" to convey that a word is absent or has been omitted from a particular statement or piece of writing.

What should I do if I often "miss a word" when listening to someone?

Try asking the speaker to slow down, repeat the sentence, or clarify the specific point you "fail to catch a word".