suddenly missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suddenly missing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has unexpectedly disappeared or is no longer present. Example: "When I returned home, I noticed that my wallet was suddenly missing from the table."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

With scores of firefighters and police suddenly missing, random groups of people took command.

The New York Times

This time, in one day, often in one neighborhood, scores of children are suddenly missing parents.

The New York Times

What can be done when a neighborhood fixture is suddenly missing?

The New York Times

The new Nascar is leaner, and suddenly missing pieces of its history.

The New York Times - Sports

I am suddenly missing him very badly, as if I have been woken from one of those dreams where the dead are still with us.

The New Yorker

Joan Juliet Buck, the editor of French Vogue, was said to be feuding with her publisher and was suddenly missing from the shows.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

He suddenly missed the newspapers as never before.

The New Yorker

As with a deathbed atheist who suddenly misses the solace of religion, your analytical outlook on the world precludes such comfort.

The Guardian - Opinion

Within days, I booked a plane ticket, eager to hug my people and to show my husband, Neil, whom I'd met in Chicago, the desert surroundings I suddenly missed desperately.

The Washington Post

She went on to quote something that a Canadian novelist had said to her when her own father died: that now he was dead she suddenly missed him at all their ages.

The New Yorker

I suddenly missed my grandmothers — ninety-nine-year-old Muriel, feisty and legally blind, whose touch on my arm Stritch's reminded me of, and eighty-nine-year-old Corinne, who had spent a couple years being mildly confused, like this, before progressing somewhere far beyond confusion.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger synonyms like "vanished" or "disappeared without a trace" if you want to increase the dramatic effect of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "suddenly missing" when describing a gradual decline or disappearance over time. The phrase implies an immediate and unexpected absence, not a slow fade.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suddenly missing" functions as a descriptive modifier, combining an adverb and adjective to describe something or someone that has disappeared unexpectedly. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is acceptable, and its primary function is to emphasize the unexpected nature of a disappearance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suddenly missing" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that combines an adverb and adjective to describe something or someone that has disappeared unexpectedly. As Ludwig AI shows, it's used to create a sense of urgency, mystery, or concern, and is often found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral, it leans towards informal usage. Be sure to use "suddenly missing" to describe immediate and unexpected absences, and consider stronger synonyms for more dramatic effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suddenly vanished

A synonym, emphasizing the quick and mysterious nature of disappearing.

abruptly absent

Focuses on the unexpected and immediate nature of the absence.

unexpectedly gone

Highlights the surprise element of the disappearance.

vanished without warning

Emphasizes the lack of any prior indication that someone would disappear.

disappeared instantaneously

Stresses the speed at which something vanished.

unaccountably missing

Highlights the lack of explanation for the disappearance.

inexplicably absent

Focuses on the mysterious and puzzling aspect of the absence.

quickly disappeared

Stresses speed more than the unexpected nature.

out of the blue gone

Emphasizes the unexpected and surprising nature of the disappearance.

without a trace gone

Highlights the complete lack of evidence or clues left behind.

FAQs

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

You can use "suddenly missing" to describe someone or something that has disappeared unexpectedly, such as, "The keys were "suddenly missing" from the table".

What are some alternatives to "suddenly missing"?

Some alternatives include "abruptly absent", "unexpectedly gone", or "vanished without warning".

Is "suddenly missing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "suddenly missing" is grammatically correct as it combines an adverb ("suddenly") modifying an adjective ("missing").

What's the difference between "suddenly missing" and "gone missing"?

"Suddenly missing" emphasizes the unexpected nature of the disappearance, while "gone missing" is a more general term to describe someone or something that is absent and its whereabouts are unknown. The first focuses on the aspect of surprise.