only missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only missing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is absent or lacking, but everything else is present or complete. Example: "The report is almost finished; it's only missing the final summary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only missing "obtuse" to fully cover Dylan.

The Guardian - Music

It's my good shirt since it's only missing one button.

The New Yorker

"He was only missing one thing: Olympic gold.

The New York Times - Sports

MH370 is the only missing 777 in the world.

Independent

Only missing Scottish international Kenny Miller, Martin Rennie's team were primed to make history.

The Guardian - Sport

Snead won seven majors - only missing the US Open, where he finished second four times.

The Guardian - Sport

The only missing ingredient of naval might was an aircraft-carrier.

The Economist

The only missing accouterment, he said, was a chocolate fountain for impromptu fondue.

The New York Times

It is the only missing piece in a squad that otherwise would be undisputedly the strongest in the world.

The Guardian - Sport

But that is only missing because even our hopes for the future have become privatised and commodified.

The Guardian - Opinion

Girls are not only missing an education, they are at increased risk of early marriage and gender-based violence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only missing" to succinctly convey that a single element is absent or lacking, while the rest is complete or present. This phrase is effective in highlighting the specific deficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "only missing" in overly complex sentences where the simplicity of the phrase may be overshadowed by the surrounding structure. Choose more descriptive alternatives when clarity is paramount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only missing" primarily functions as a modifier, often used adjectivally to describe something that is almost complete but lacks a single, specific element. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only missing" is a versatile modifier used to indicate that something is nearly complete but lacks a specific element. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It functions primarily to highlight the singular deficiency that prevents completeness. While its register is generally neutral, it is frequently found in news, scientific, and business contexts. Alternatives like "just lacking" and "merely absent" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. To ensure clarity, it's best to avoid overuse in complex sentences. The phrase is considered very common with many examples from reputable sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Huffington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just lacking

Emphasizes a simple absence without further implications.

merely absent

Highlights the absence as a minor or insignificant issue.

simply requiring

Suggests that something needs only to be added or fulfilled.

solely deficient

Focuses on the single aspect of being incomplete or inadequate.

exclusively without

Highlights that only one thing is not present.

partially incomplete

Indicates that something is not entirely whole or finished.

almost complete

Focuses on the near perfection, with just a bit pending.

virtually finished

Suggests a high degree of completion, with minimal remaining.

primarily lacking

Highlights the primary area of absence or deficiency.

mainly without

Similar to primarily lacking, but focusing on possession.

FAQs

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

Use "only missing" to indicate that something is nearly complete, with just one part lacking. For example, "The project is almost finished; it's "only missing the final review."

What can I say instead of "only missing"?

You can use alternatives such as "just lacking", "merely absent", or "solely deficient" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the only thing missing is" instead of "only missing"?

Yes, "the only thing missing is" is a grammatically correct and more formal way to express the same idea as "only missing". The choice depends on the desired level of formality.

When should I not use the phrase "only missing"?

Avoid using "only missing" when describing situations where multiple elements are lacking or when a more detailed explanation of the deficiency is required. In such cases, use more descriptive language.