seem to be missing

USAGE SUMMARY

"seem to be missing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation where something is not present or available, for example: "I can't find the keys, they seem to be missing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But you seem to be missing MY point.

University of California, Berkeley

The only groups that seem to be missing are Russian.

The New Yorker

"We seem to be missing that right now".

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps more surprisingly, they also seem to be missing most of their metals.

Harvard University

Whatever the reasons, there are too many Jews who seem to be missing the point.

The New York Times

In that light, reactions to the "bookless" Stanford library seem to be missing the point.

The New Yorker

(Maximize the window or click on a contact if commands seem to be missing).

The New York Times

When it comes to understanding our macroeconomic predicament, we often seem to be missing the point.

The New York Times

Lawmakers seem to be missing the point as they lard this budget with their favorite items.

The New York Times

His team do not seem to be missing his proximity on match day.

The Guardian - Sport

We seem to be missing out on the people who can make things".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seem to be missing" when you want to express that something is absent or not readily apparent, without making a definitive statement about its actual state. For example, "Some key details seem to be missing from this report."

Common error

While "seem to be missing" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or scientific writing. Opt for more precise language when possible. For example, instead of "The data seem to be missing", try "The data are absent from the record".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem to be missing" functions primarily as a hedge, softening the claim that something is absent or not available. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English. It expresses uncertainty or a lack of definitive knowledge regarding the missing element.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

28%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seem to be missing" is a versatile and frequently used expression in English, indicating a perceived absence or lack. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various writing styles. It functions as a hedge, softening claims about missing elements while still conveying a sense of something being amiss. As shown by Ludwig's examples, this phrase is common in News & Media, Academia, and Science, demonstrating its wide applicability. While alternatives like "appear to be absent" or "appear to be lacking" exist, "seem to be missing" provides a balanced and widely accepted option for expressing perceived absence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem to be absent

Direct synonym, emphasizing a state of not being present.

appear to be absent

This alternative focuses on the visual aspect of something not being present.

seem to be unaccounted for

Direct synonym, highlighting the lack of an explanation for the absence.

appear to be lacking

This suggests a deficiency rather than complete absence.

appear to be gone

Implies something has vanished or is no longer available.

appear to not be present

A more formal way to state that something is not there.

seem to be deficient

Highlights a lack or inadequacy in something.

appear to be unaccounted for

Emphasizes the lack of explanation for something's absence.

appear to be omitted

Suggests something was intentionally left out.

appear to be excluded

Indicates a deliberate act of keeping something out.

FAQs

How can I use "seem to be missing" in a sentence?

You can use "seem to be missing" to indicate that something is not present or apparent. For example: "The instructions seem to be missing from the box." or "Several pages seem to be missing from this document."

What are some alternatives to "seem to be missing"?

Alternatives include "appear to be absent", "appear to be lacking", or "appear to be gone", depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "appear to be missing" instead of "seem to be missing"?

While both are acceptable, "appear to be missing" might be perceived as slightly more formal than "seem to be missing". The choice depends on the overall tone and style of your writing. "Appear to be omitted" could also be used if you want to emphasize that something was intentionally left out.

When should I avoid using "seem to be missing"?

In highly formal or scientific contexts, consider using more precise and direct language. For instance, instead of "Critical controls seem to be missing", you could say "Critical controls are absent". However, in general writing, "seem to be missing" is perfectly acceptable.