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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
missing document
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(20)
missing paperwork
missing documentation
omitted
missing documents
absence of documents
lack of submissions
lack of documentary
lack of evidence
lost documents
shortage of documents
unavailability of documents
scarcity of documents
lack of roles
lack of bacteria
lack of papers
outstanding paperwork
lack of boundaries
lack of paperwork
lack of material
missing information
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
3 human-written examples
It pays off in the "leak" or the location of the missing document at the end of Act Two, which cracks the case.
News & Media
As is often the case, French officialdom proved to be more malleable in person than on paper, and the fine and the order were dropped after Mr. Ooka filled out a missing document.
News & Media
One thing that's apparently missing: document creation.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
55 human-written examples
Under the mortgage settlement, though, Wells Fargo was required to notify Mr. Farnsworth about missing documents five days after he submitted a loan application and to then give him 30 days to submit any missing documentation.
News & Media
The settlement requires that borrowers be notified of missing documents within five days and given 30 days to supply the missing paperwork and that decisions be rendered at most 30 days after an application is completed.
News & Media
Shredded or missing documents.
News & Media
Wells Fargo also flunked on the missing documents.
News & Media
There had been enticements from the insurgents to reveal the whereabouts of the missing documents.
News & Media
Other foreclosure cases were initiated with missing documents or incorrect information.
News & Media
Soldiers now guard its offices, and the army has demanded the return of all missing documents.
News & Media
I opened it expecting to find an inquiry about missing documents.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
In formal or legal reporting, specify the nature of the absence (e.g. lost, shredded or withheld) to provide better context than a generic description.
Common error
Avoid using "missing document" when the item is simply in the wrong folder; instead, use "misplaced document" to indicate that it is likely retrievable with a search.
Source & Trust
96%
Authority and reliability
4.9/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "missing document" functions as a noun phrase where 'missing' acts as a participial adjective modifying the noun 'document'. In Ludwig examples, it typically serves as the object of a preposition or a direct object.
Frequent in
News & Media
65%
Formal & Business
20%
Science
10%
Less common in
Wiki
3%
Social Media
1%
Encyclopedias
1%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
Analysis of Ludwig data shows that "missing document" is a standard and highly functional phrase across professional domains. While the exact singular form appears less frequently than its plural counterpart, it remains a staple of investigative and administrative language. Ludwig AI indicates no grammatical issues with the phrase, confirming its status as a correct and reliable choice for formal writing. It is most frequently employed in narratives involving legal procedures, financial audits and historical research where the absence of information is a critical plot point or evidentiary gap. For writers, the key is to ensure the phrase accurately reflects whether the item is permanently gone or merely "omitted" from the current set.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
lost document
Suggests the item was once possessed but its current location is unknown.
missing paperwork
A more informal or collective term often used in administrative contexts.
absent record
Often used in formal or database contexts to indicate a gap in data.
omitted file
Implies the document was left out, potentially by choice or error.
misplaced document
Implies the document exists but is in the wrong location.
unavailable document
Focuses on the current inability to access the item regardless of its status.
unaccounted for document
A more bureaucratic way to describe something that is not where it should be.
deficient documentation
Refers to the state of a set of documents being incomplete.
lacking document
Focuses on the absence as a requirement that has not been met.
vanished document
Used in more dramatic or investigative narratives found in Ludwig snippets.
FAQs
How to use "missing document" in a sentence?
You can use it as a subject or object, such as: "The case was solved after the discovery of the "missing document" at the end of Act Two."
What is the difference between "missing document" and "lost document"?
While often interchangeable, a "lost document" specifically implies it was previously in your possession and was subsequently misplaced, whereas a "missing document" simply notes its absence from where it should be.
What can I say instead of "missing document"?
You can use alternatives like "missing paperwork", "absent record" or "omitted file" depending on the context.
Is "missing document" used in formal business English?
Yes, it is very common in professional environments, though you might also see "missing documentation" when referring to a broader set of required materials.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
96%
Authority and reliability
4.9/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested