missing amount

USAGE SUMMARY

'missing amount' is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to something that has not been received or accounted for, often in a financial context. For example, "We need to investigate why the bank statement shows a missing amount of $50."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

And then we ask, what fraction of that missing amount now has been filled in?

Cornell University

If the total of these forced shares exceeds the amount actually available in the decedent's estate at death, the recipients of the gifts, or their successors, may be forced to make up the missing amount.

Columbia University

After quite a bit of research, I found the missing amount was courtesy of a traffic court in San Diego, which asserted that I had an unpaid ticket from years earlier.

The New York Times

The amount of algae necessary to maintain a concentration of approximately 1.5 mg carbon L-1 in the algal layer was then calculated and the missing amount replenished.

BMC Biology

If there is a mismatch or a missing amount, the IRS will contact the taxpayer for more information.

Forbes

Mark Worthge, the attorney for Chase Glendale Green Services, sent a letter in August asking city officials to pay the missing amount, but he didn't get a response for months.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

So a total of $241 billion in tax-financed spending is missing, amounting to 56% of what is reported in Fig. 3.

Forbes

Any squad missing that amount and quality of players is going to struggle.

BBC

Missing signal – amount of missing signal was, except for the II.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Missing data amounted to only 2.14% of the total.

Cell

The missing page amounts to a 500-franc note, a 70-cent shakedown.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "missing amount" in financial contexts, clearly specify the currency and the source of the discrepancy to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The audit revealed a missing amount of $500 from the petty cash fund."

Common error

Avoid using "missing amount" when you actually mean a "missing value" in a data set. "Missing amount" typically refers to a quantity of something, especially money, whereas "missing value" refers to a piece of absent data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "missing amount" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies a quantity that is absent or unaccounted for, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples where it refers to missing funds or data.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

28%

News & Media

42%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "missing amount" is a grammatically sound and neutrally registered term used to describe a quantity that is absent or unaccounted for. It commonly appears in contexts related to news, science, and academia, often prompting further investigation or action. While Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as acceptable, it is important to distinguish its use from similar terms like "missing value" to avoid confusion. For alternative expressions, consider words like "deficit", "shortfall", or "discrepancy" to convey the intended meaning with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unaccounted sum

Emphasizes that the amount is not explained or justified.

shortfall

Indicates a deficiency or lack of something, especially in money or supplies.

unpaid sum

Focuses on the fact that the amount is due but hasn't been settled.

deficit

Refers to a shortfall, specifically when expenditure exceeds income or assets fall short of liabilities.

lost funds

Highlights that the sum is no longer available or traceable.

discrepancy

Highlights a difference or inconsistency, often in figures or data.

uncollected funds

Implies that the amount has not been received or gathered.

outstanding balance

Refers specifically to the remaining amount due on an account or loan.

gap

Indicates a space or difference between what is expected and what exists.

arrears

Refers to money that is owed and should have been paid earlier.

FAQs

How can I use "missing amount" in a sentence?

You can use "missing amount" to describe a quantity that is absent or unaccounted for, such as "The accountant discovered a "missing amount" in the ledger."

What's the difference between "missing amount" and "shortfall"?

"Missing amount" generally refers to a specific quantity that is not present or has disappeared, while "shortfall" indicates a deficiency in what is expected or needed.

What can I say instead of "missing amount"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "deficit", "discrepancy", or "unaccounted sum".

Is it correct to use "missing amount" in a formal document?

Yes, "missing amount" is acceptable in formal documents, especially when discussing financial or accounting matters. However, ensure the context is clear and precise.