some were missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of sentence "some were missing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something or someone that have been lost or gone astray. For example, "The instructor counted the students, but some were missing".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Some were missing arms.

The Guardian

Some were missing large chunks of flesh.

The New York Times

Some were missing, but where had they gone?

The New Yorker

It was not immediately clear why some were missing.

Independent

It was true that some were missing, replaced by cardboard and strips of white tape..

The Guardian

Many of the forms were stuffed behind the cash register, and some were missing essential information.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Thus, it is possible that some were missed.

Critical Care

However, we cannot exclude the possibility that some were missed.

British Medical Journal

Some are missing their tails.

The New York Times

"It looked like some was missing," she said.

The New York Times

Some are missing an arm or a leg.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "some were missing", ensure the context clearly identifies what or who is missing. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "some were missing" without specifying what or whom the 'some' refers to. Always provide context to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "some were missing" functions as a descriptive statement indicating that a portion of a group or set is absent. It highlights a state of incompleteness or deficiency. Ludwig AI confirms this with real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

34%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "some were missing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that a portion of a group or set is absent. Ludwig AI identifies its neutral tone and usage across varied contexts like News, Science, and general discourse. While versatile, clarity is key: ensure the referent of "some" is evident. Alternatives such as "some had disappeared" or "a few were absent" can provide nuanced shades of meaning. The phrase is most prevalent in News & Media and Scientific sources, reinforcing its formal yet accessible nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some had disappeared

Focuses on the act of vanishing or becoming unseen.

a few were absent

Emphasizes the state of not being present.

several were gone

Highlights the completion of departure or removal.

certain ones were lacking

Focuses on a deficiency or insufficiency.

portions were incomplete

Indicates that parts of a whole are not finished or whole.

certain elements were absent

Highlights the lack of specific components.

a number were unaccounted for

Focuses on not being tracked or explained.

some items were misplaced

Highlights the items that put at a wrong place.

some individuals were not present

Emphasizes that certain persons are not at an event.

pieces were not there

Focuses on items that are no longer in a certain location.

FAQs

How can I use "some were missing" in a sentence?

Use "some were missing" when referring to a subset of items or people that are absent or have disappeared. For example, "The team members gathered, but "some were missing"".

What are some alternatives to "some were missing"?

You can use alternatives such as "some had disappeared", "a few were absent", or "several were gone", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "some was missing" instead of "some were missing"?

No, "some was missing" is grammatically incorrect. "Some" implies a plural subject, so the correct verb form is "were". Therefore, ""some were missing"" is the correct phrase.

In what contexts is "some were missing" commonly used?

"Some were missing" is commonly used in situations involving counts or inventories where not all items or individuals are present. This can range from physical objects to people at a gathering.