records are missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "records are missing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that certain documents or data are not available or cannot be found. Example: "After reviewing the files, we found that several records are missing, which may affect our audit process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Key Ottoman records are missing or have been destroyed.

The New Yorker

At present, some veterans must hand carry their medical records to Veterans Affairs' facilities once they leave active-duty service because their records are missing.

The New York Times

Other deviations occur throughout: the categories are not uniformly sequential; some years and groups of records are missing; and headings are subject to variation.

Cornell University

Millions of criminal and mental health records are missing from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System used to screen gun purchasers and block sales to people who are disqualified by law from buying guns.

The New York Times

I often furrow my brow in one of the more abstruse forms of snobbery: I think the new wave of cyclists who circumnavigate the world merely to set records are missing the point.

The Guardian - Sport

Several officials of the previous PRI administration in the state have been arrested and are awaiting trial, but officials of the new state government have said some important records are missing and may have been destroyed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Computer systems had been badly damaged, records were missing and phone lines were cut.

The New York Times

As soon as I started asking questions, I was told that blood records were missing, lost or incomplete, and they were always the ones you wanted.

The Guardian - Film

Of those having mentors, four were males, two females, and two records were missing gender data.

International Journal of STEM Education

Thirty-six records were missing the person's age and were excluded.

Injury Epidemiology

Five had been admitted to the emergency department, but the diagnosis could not be confirmed, two patient's medical records were missing, nine children had non-CMT and 23 children had CMT (Fig. 1).

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting missing records, clearly specify which records are missing and the potential impact of their absence.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "records are missing" without providing context. Specify which types of records are missing and the time period they cover to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "records are missing" functions as a statement indicating the absence of certain documented information. It typically serves to report a problem, explain a discrepancy, or highlight a gap in data. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "records are missing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote the absence of specific documented information. As Ludwig AI validates, this phrase is versatile, appearing in various contexts, primarily within scientific, news, and academic domains. While its register is generally neutral, clarity is key; specify which records are missing to avoid vagueness. For alternatives, consider "data are absent" or "documents are unavailable" to suit different levels of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

data are absent

This alternative uses a more formal term ("absent") to convey the lack of data, which may be suitable for technical or official contexts.

documents are unavailable

This alternative emphasizes the inaccessibility of the documents, suggesting they may exist but are not currently accessible.

files are not present

This alternative is a straightforward way of stating the absence of files, suitable for general use.

information is lacking

This alternative focuses on the deficiency of information, rather than specifically the records themselves.

documentation is incomplete

This suggests that some documentation exists, but it is not comprehensive or fully detailed.

some entries are lost

This alternative highlights that some entries may have been lost.

certain logs are absent

This focuses on the absence of specific logs.

the accounts are incomplete

This conveys an idea of the data being in progress.

the register is deficient

This option is more formal and puts the emphasis on the quality of data.

the evidence is scant

This alternative focuses on the limited or insufficient nature of the evidence available.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "records are missing"?

It means that certain documents or pieces of information that should be available are not present or cannot be located. This could apply to various types of records, such as medical records, financial records, or legal documents.

What are some alternative ways to say "records are missing"?

You can use alternatives like "data are absent", "documents are unavailable", or "information is lacking" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "records are missing"?

Yes, "records are missing" is grammatically correct. The plural noun "records" correctly takes the plural verb "are" followed by the adjective "missing".

How does the meaning of "records are missing" compare to "records were missing"?

"Records are missing" implies the records are currently absent. "Records were missing" indicates the records were absent at a specific time in the past but doesn't comment on their current status. The choice depends on the specific context.