missing items

USAGE SUMMARY

"missing items" is not a grammatically correct phrase to use in a sentence.
A better phrase to use might be "items that are missing" or "missing pieces." For example, "When I opened my suitcase, I noticed that some of my clothes were missing."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

24 The individual's mean score of the non-missing items was imputed for the missing items.

BMJ Open

APEs increased with additional missing items, such that surveys with 12 missing items had average APEs of 29.7% (minimum) and 44.4% (maximum).

BioMed Research International

The MOS-PF scale has a relatively high rate of missing items; the standard approach is to allow for up to 5 missing items (of 10), with the mean of the non-missing items imputed into the missing values.

BMJ Open

Firearms were not the most expensive category of missing items.

The New York Times

Across town, Gary walked through his home with Bittle and Watts, looking for any missing items.

The New Yorker

By chance, they both call the same supply company to order the missing items.

The New York Times - Health

The police later found the missing items stashed under a bed in the pair's hotel room.

The Guardian

The landlady suggested he go to Thimblerigg & Bilk on Sunday morning to get the missing items.

The New Yorker

The number of missing items was 2%.

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

Participants noted some potentially missing items from the questionnaire.

Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes

These devices work alongside a mobile application that can be used to locate the missing items.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to items that cannot be located, consider using the grammatically correct phrase "items that are missing" for improved clarity.

Common error

While the phrase "missing items" is commonly used, it's grammatically imprecise. Opt for "items that are missing" or "lost items" to adhere to standard grammatical conventions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "missing items" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. Despite its common usage, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect, advising the use of "items that are missing" instead.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "missing items" is frequently used across various contexts, including scientific and news media, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. A more accurate alternative is "items that are missing". Although widely understood, opting for grammatically precise alternatives enhances clarity and professionalism in writing. Always consider the context and audience when choosing between common but incorrect phrases and grammatically sound alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

items that are missing

This is a more grammatically correct rephrasing of the original phrase.

lost items

This alternative focuses on the state of being lost, implying the items are not currently found.

misplaced articles

This phrase suggests items that have been put in the wrong place, but are not necessarily permanently lost.

absent objects

This alternative emphasizes the absence of the items.

unaccounted-for items

This phrase implies that the items' whereabouts are unknown or not documented.

items not present

A straightforward way of stating that certain items are not available or on hand.

deficient articles

Focuses on the lack of specific items needed, implying a shortage.

shortage of items

Highlights the condition of not having enough of certain items.

inventory discrepancies

This suggests that there is a mismatch between the recorded inventory and the actual items present.

items not in place

This phrase indicates items that are not located where they are expected to be.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "missing items"?

While commonly used, "missing items" is not grammatically correct. A more accurate phrasing is "items that are missing".

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

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "unaccounted-for items" or "items that are missing".

What can I say instead of "missing items" in a casual conversation?

In casual conversation, "lost items" is a suitable and easily understood alternative.

How does "missing items" differ from "lost items" in meaning?

While similar, "lost items" implies the items are irretrievable, whereas "missing items" simply means they are not currently found, but might be recovered.