so missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so missing" is not standard in written English and may be confusing.
It could be used informally to emphasize a strong sense of absence or loss, but it is not commonly accepted. Example: "I feel so missing without my best friend here."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I am so missing him".

The Guardian

Whatever why I'm so missing Tony.

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Mehta emphasized that it would return in 2012, so missing a single summer may not be that significant.

The New York Times - Arts

Soupy has been so missing in this series that his picture was popping up on milk cartons.

The New York Times

LA was built around stories and illusion, so missing the make-believe is missing half the picture.

The Guardian - Travel

Most chase days you find something pretty mediocre, so missing an event forecast well in advance, as I had, is twice as annoying.

Independent

Shin, who sat out the L.P.G.A. Championship and the United States Open after having surgery on her left wrist, said: "I was so missing it.

The New York Times - Sports

Metrorail, the national passenger system, now employs 2,500 workers to fight cable theft, but even so, missing cables snarl schedules daily.

The New York Times

"Oh shit, oh shit, whatever why I'm so missing Tony … he has such a good, body and really, really good legs …" says one note.

The Guardian

"Oh you are so missing out, it's delicious… so very good for you, low fat, high protein, much better than beef".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And it makes so much more sense to view it in video form as it was presented at the time — bursting with the life and joy that is so missing from today's runways.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "so missing", consider the context and audience. In formal writing, alternatives like "greatly missed" or "noticeably absent" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "so missing" in academic papers, business reports, or other formal documents. Opt for more conventional and grammatically sound alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so missing" functions as an intensifier followed by a participle adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a strong feeling of absence or longing. Ludwig indicates it's not considered standard in written English, suggesting it's used primarily for emphasis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

29%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "so missing" is used to express a strong feeling of absence or longing. While Ludwig identifies it as not standard written English, it's nonetheless very common, particularly in News & Media. Though acceptable, it leans towards informality; therefore, in formal contexts, alternatives such as "greatly missed" or "noticeably absent" are more appropriate. Be mindful of your audience and writing context when deciding whether to use this expressive, yet potentially grammatically questionable, phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so absent

Focuses on the state of being absent, reducing the emphasis on the feeling of missing.

greatly missed

Emphasizes the degree to which something or someone is missed.

deeply missed

Highlights the profound feeling of missing something or someone.

badly missed

Indicates that the absence is causing significant negative impact.

sorely missed

Implies that the absence is keenly felt, causing emotional pain.

very much missed

Adds emphasis to the feeling of being missed.

keenly felt absence

Replaces the verb with a noun phrase, focusing on the feeling of absence.

noticeably absent

Indicates that the absence is easily observed or apparent.

conspicuously absent

Suggests that the absence is very obvious and draws attention.

regrettably absent

Expresses sorrow or disappointment about the absence.

FAQs

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

You can use "so missing" to express a strong feeling of absence or longing, but be aware that it might be considered informal. For example: "I am so missing my family right now."

What are some alternatives to "so missing"?

Consider using phrases like "greatly missed", "deeply missed", or "badly missed" for a more formal tone.

Is "so missing" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "so missing" is not considered grammatically standard in formal English. It is best to use alternative phrases like "very absent" or "greatly missed" in formal writing.

Which is more appropriate, "so missing" or "very absent"?

"Very absent" is generally considered more grammatically correct and appropriate in formal contexts than "so missing", which carries a more informal tone. Use "very absent" in situations where formality is preferred.