that was missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was missing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is absent or not present in a particular context or situation. Example: "After reviewing the report, I realized that the data analysis section was that was missing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everything that was missing from their opponents.

The Guardian - Sport

One possible clue comes from a relationship that was missing.

Stanford University

"That was the one thing that was missing," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

This was the only one that was missing.

The Guardian - Sport

So the tablets were replacing something that was missing.

The Guardian

"There was a lot of stuff that was missing".

The New York Times

Indeed, all that was missing was an Indian Grand Prix.

The New York Times - Sports

"This was something that was missing in Spain," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

It was the missing energy, the energy that was missing to balance energy momentum conservation.

Cornell University

The vignette provided context that was missing in Study 1.

Security Informatics

The subtle piece of the puzzle that was missing?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was missing" to clearly indicate an absence or lack, ensuring context makes the missing element evident to the reader. For example: "The key element that was missing from the equation was understanding the user's behavior."

Common error

Ensure the antecedent of "that" is clear to avoid ambiguity. Instead of saying "That was missing, which led to the problem", specify what "that" refers to: "The project plan was missing, which led to the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was missing" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun or concept. It identifies a specific item or aspect that is absent or lacking. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is a common and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was missing" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate something absent or lacking. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, academic writing, and scientific reports. While its register is generally neutral, clarity is key to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "that was absent" or "that was lacking" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was absent

Directly replaces "missing" with a synonym, indicating a lack of presence.

that was lacking

Emphasizes a deficiency or inadequacy, similar to something being missing.

that was omitted

Suggests that something was intentionally left out.

that was left out

Indicates something excluded or not included.

that was wanting

Implies a need or requirement that wasn't met.

that was deficient

Highlights a specific shortage or inadequacy.

that was unaccounted for

Focuses on something not explained or justified.

that was needed

Points out a necessity that was not available.

that was absent from

Specifies the context from which something was missing.

that was excluded

Highlights the fact that something was deliberately kept apart or prevented from entering.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that was missing" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "that was absent", "that was lacking", or "that was omitted" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "that was missing" and "that were missing"?

"That was missing" is used with singular nouns or uncountable concepts (e.g., "The key element that was missing was funding"). "That were missing" is used with plural nouns (e.g., "The documents that were missing were crucial for the audit").

Is it correct to say "the thing that was missing" instead of "that was missing"?

Yes, "the thing that was missing" is grammatically correct, although it can sound slightly more emphatic or descriptive. It's suitable when you want to specifically highlight the "thing" in question. You can also use "the element that was missing" or "the component that was missing".

Can "that was missing" be replaced with "that had been missing"?

Yes, using "that had been missing" adds a sense of duration or a past state. For example, "The ingredient that had been missing for years was finally rediscovered" suggests a longer period of absence compared to "that was missing".