they are missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are missing" can be used in written English.
For example, you could use it in the sentence, "The cats have disappeared; they are missing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They are missing something".

The New York Times

In winter, they are missing.

The New York Times

They are missing the point.

The Economist

They are missing a slice.

The Guardian

But they are missing some tricks.

The Economist

"They are missing three periods," she said.

The New York Times

Perhaps they are missing the point.

The New York Times

And he believes they are missing something.

The New York Times - Sports

That's the big point they are missing.

The New York Times - Sports

"Yes, they are missing," Dr. Omar said.

The New York Times

All I know is they are missing".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are missing" when referring to people, objects, or even abstract concepts that are absent or lacking. Ensure the context clearly indicates what "they" refers to.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "they are" with "they're", which is a contraction. Using "they're missing" could change the intended meaning if you want to emphasize the state of being absent rather than a possessive relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are missing" functions as a statement indicating absence or lack. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. It is a descriptive phrase, often acting as the predicate of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are missing" is a grammatically correct and very common way to indicate that something or someone is absent or cannot be found. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, including news, formal reports, and general communication. It is important to ensure clarity in your writing by clearly defining what or who "they" refers to and avoiding confusion with the contraction "they're". Using "they are absent", "they cannot be found", or "they have disappeared" can provide alternative phrasing depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are absent

Replaces "missing" with a direct synonym, focusing on the state of being not present.

they are not here

Emphasizes the lack of presence in a specific location.

they cannot be found

Focuses on the difficulty or inability to locate them.

they have disappeared

Highlights the act of vanishing or becoming unseen.

they are nowhere to be seen

Expresses the absence with an added sense of mystery or concern.

they are gone

Simply states that they are no longer present.

their whereabouts are unknown

Shifts the focus to the lack of knowledge about their location.

they are unaccounted for

Highlights the lack of explanation or record for their absence.

they remain unfound

Indicates a continuing search without success.

they are wanting

Uses a less common synonym for "missing", implying a deficiency.

FAQs

What does "they are missing" mean?

The phrase "they are missing" indicates that a group of people or things cannot be found or are absent from a particular place or situation.

What can I say instead of "they are missing"?

You can use alternatives like "they are absent", "they cannot be found", or "they have disappeared" depending on the context.

How to use "they are missing" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "The keys were on the table yesterday, but now "they are missing"."

Is it correct to say "they're missing" instead of "they are missing"?

Yes, "they're missing" is a contraction of "they are missing" and is perfectly acceptable in most contexts. However, "they are missing" may be preferable in formal writing for emphasis.