something is missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "something is missing" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to convey that something is absent or not present in a given situation. Example: "I was going through my suitcase and realized that something is missing. I can't find my favorite pair of earrings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But something is missing.

The Economist

Something is missing, though.

The New York Times - Food

Something is missing here.

The New York Times

But still, something is missing.

The New York Times

And yet, something is missing.

The New York Times

"Something is missing," he said.

The New York Times

But something is missing from this picture.

The New York Times

"It feels as if something is missing.

The New York Times - Health

Something is missing – is it unity, faith?

The Guardian - Sport

Something is missing from our rhetoric.

The Guardian - Opinion

But something is missing: the games.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of the situation. While "something is missing" is generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "something is lacking".

Common error

While "something is missing" is perfectly acceptable, it can sound too informal in academic or professional contexts. Opt for more precise language or alternatives like "an essential element is lacking" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something is missing" functions as a statement expressing a perceived lack or absence. It typically serves to indicate that a necessary component, element, or quality is not present, creating a sense of incompleteness. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

13%

Huffington Post

13%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "something is missing" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a sense of lack or incompleteness. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage, highlighting its prevalence across various contexts, from News & Media to Academia. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives like "something is lacking" in professional settings. This phrase serves to prompt investigation or express dissatisfaction when an expected element is absent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something is lacking

Replaces "missing" with a synonym, emphasizing a deficiency or lack.

something is absent

Substitutes "missing" with a more formal term indicating non-existence or absence.

something is incomplete

Focuses on the unfinished or partial state of something, rather than its absence.

a piece is missing

Highlights that one specific part is not present.

an element is missing

Uses a more specific term, "element", to indicate what is lacking.

something is deficient

Emphasizes that something falls short of what is required or expected.

a component is missing

Similar to "element", but often used in technical or structured contexts.

something is not there

Uses a more informal and direct way to express the absence of something.

something is wanting

Replaces "missing" with "wanting", an old-fashioned synonym.

something is required

Highlights the necessity of the absent thing and reverses the point of view.

FAQs

How can I use "something is missing" in a sentence?

You can use "something is missing" to indicate that a necessary component or element is absent from a situation. For example, "I've reviewed the report, but I feel like "something is missing"."

What phrases can I use instead of "something is missing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "something is lacking", "something is absent", or "an element is missing".

Is it correct to say "something's missing" instead of "something is missing"?

Yes, "something's missing" is a contraction of "something is missing" and is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts. However, "something is missing" might be preferred in more formal writing.

What does it mean when I feel like "something is missing" in my life?

When you feel like "something is missing" in your life, it often indicates a sense of incompleteness or dissatisfaction. It may be helpful to reflect on your values, goals, and relationships to identify what might be lacking.