sorely missing

USAGE SUMMARY

"sorely missing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it when referring to something that is deeply or painfully missed. For example, "She was sorely missing her family when she moved away for college."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

That was sorely missing tonight.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are sorely missing that rules knowledge".

The New York Times - Sports

The fun was was sorely missing from Man of Steel".

The Guardian - Film

But these days, good karma is sorely missing on No Name Key.

The New York Times

It is an intrafaith dialogue — so sorely missing — in the Muslim world.

The New York Times

The British glassmaker's pâte de verre objects were sorely missing in the museum's collection.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Sorely missed by all.

The New York Times

Sorely missed, loved forever.

The New York Times

Lugano was sorely missed.

The Guardian - Sport

You are sorely missed.

The New York Times

She is sorely missed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sorely missing" to convey a strong sense of lack or absence, often implying that the missing element is crucial or important. For instance, "That leadership was sorely missing during the crisis."

Common error

While "sorely missing" is widely accepted, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "noticeably lacking" or "deficient" to maintain a more objective tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sorely missing" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "missing". It indicates a significant degree of absence or lack, highlighting that something is not just absent but also deeply felt to be gone. Ludwig confirms its correct usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sport

15%

Arts

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Forbes

2%

Vice

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sorely missing" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a strong sense of lack or absence. Ludwig AI confirms this, providing numerous examples across various contexts. While generally acceptable, it's wise to consider more formal alternatives in academic writing. The phrase is frequently used in News & Media and Sports writing, conveying a significant emotional weight to the statement about something that has been absent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greatly missed

Emphasizes the extent of the absence, focusing on the feeling of loss.

badly needed

Shifts the focus from absence to the urgency of needing something.

desperately required

Highlights the critical need for something that is absent.

keenly felt absence

Focuses on the emotional impact of the missing element.

noticeably lacking

Highlights the obvious absence of something.

conspicuously absent

Indicates that the absence is very easy to see or notice.

woefully inadequate

Shifts the focus to the insufficiency or deficiency of something.

sadly deficient

Emphasizes the negative impact of the deficiency.

regrettably absent

Expresses sorrow or regret about the absence.

sorely needed

Highlights the pressing requirement for something.

FAQs

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

You can use "sorely missing" to describe something that is greatly missed or needed. For example, "Her guidance was "greatly missed" after she retired" or "That feature is "badly needed" in the new update".

What are some synonyms for "sorely missing"?

Some phrases with similar meaning to "sorely missing" include "greatly missed", "badly needed", or "noticeably lacking".

Is it appropriate to use "sorely missing" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "sorely missing" might be considered too subjective for some formal contexts. Consider using more objective alternatives like "deficient" or "lacking".

What's the difference between "sorely missing" and "badly missing"?

"Sorely missing" implies a sense of grief or pain due to the absence, while "badly missing" focuses more on the degree of need or lack. "Sorely" emphasizes the emotional aspect, making it a more poignant expression.