missing for a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "missing for a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something or someone that has been absent or unaccounted for during a specific period of time. Example: "The hiker has been missing for a week, and search teams are still looking for him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He was missing for a week.

The New Yorker

That's been missing for a long time".

The Guardian - Sport

Stephanie was missing for a year.

The New York Times

It's something that has been missing for a little while and they're back there now.

The Guardian - Sport

That's been missing for a while, but it's kind of what we set out to do".

The Guardian - Film

Companions who head there may go missing for a good 10 minutes.

The New York Times - Food

The victims were mostly prostitutes working in Vancouver and missing for a decade or more.

The New York Times

Then he went missing for a year when the boxing world was at his feet.

The Guardian - Sport

"There was something missing for a few months and the thing that was missing was just Serena.

The Guardian - Sport

In some editions a credit was also missing for a caricature of Ms. Donovan used in the stores' advertising.

The New York Times

OUTLOOK -- The Seahawks need to gel and play complementary football, an element that has been missing for a while.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "missing for a" to describe a temporary absence where there's an expectation of return or resolution. For instance, "The document has been "missing for a" week, but we hope to find it soon."

Common error

Avoid using "missing for a" when describing something that is permanently lost or destroyed. In such cases, consider using "lost" or "destroyed" without the temporal qualifier. For example, instead of saying "The ancient artifact was "missing for a" thousand years", say "The ancient artifact was lost for a thousand years".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "missing for a" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a duration of absence. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts such as describing people who are "missing for a week" or items that have been "missing for a while".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "missing for a" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase to describe the duration of an absence. Ludwig confirms its correctness and provides numerous real-world examples from reliable sources, including news media, scientific publications, and formal documents. The phrase is versatile, suitable for neutral and informal contexts, and is frequently found in news and general discussions. While it's essential to use it to describe temporary absences, avoid using it when describing permanent losses. Alternatives include "absent for a" and "gone for a", depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absent for a

Replaces "missing" with "absent", focusing on the state of not being present.

gone for a

Uses "gone" to indicate a departure or disappearance for a certain duration.

away for a

Indicates a temporary absence or departure.

lacking for a

Emphasizes a deficiency or absence of something needed over a period.

unaccounted for during a

Highlights the lack of explanation for someone or something's whereabouts.

not seen for a

Focuses on the visual absence of someone or something.

vanished for a

Implies a sudden and complete disappearance.

untraceable for a

Emphasizes the inability to find or follow someone's whereabouts.

unreachable for a

Focuses on the inability to contact someone.

out of sight for a

Highlights the absence from view.

FAQs

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

The phrase "missing for a" is used to describe something or someone that has been absent for a period of time. For example, "The child has been "missing for a" week", or "That crucial piece of evidence was "missing for a" long time".

What are some alternatives to "missing for a"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "absent for a", "gone for a", or "away for a".

Is it correct to say "missing for a long time"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. The phrase "missing for a long time" implies that the absence has been extended. For example, "The antique necklace was "missing for a" long time before it resurfaced at an auction".

What is the difference between "missing for a" and "unaccounted for during a"?

"Missing for a" generally indicates a simple absence, whereas "unaccounted for during a" suggests that there is no explanation or record of where someone or something was during a particular time. The latter implies a need for investigation or explanation.