they went missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they went missing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to individuals or items that cannot be found or have disappeared without explanation. Example: "After the storm, several hikers went missing in the mountains, prompting a search and rescue operation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They went missing at the end of last year.

The Guardian

They went missing from the Liria Palace during the Napoleonic wars.

The New York Times - Arts

More evident is the torture that their families have endured since they went missing.

The Guardian

Some come to a children's home because they went missing so often.

The Guardian

When they went missing, Berry was 16, DeJesus 14 and Knight 21.

The Guardian

Fewer than half of lost dogs and just one in five lost cats were wearing tags at the time they went missing, according to the journal.

The New York Times

However, accounting for the missing has also involved establishing why they went missing and who was responsible, and it entails upholding the rights of survivors.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some were famous when they went missing and became even more legendary afterward, and some reached celebrity status simply because they disappeared.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

What happens to someone's finances if they go missing?

The Guardian - Money

He noted of such girls, "Nobody looks for them when they go missing.

The New York Times

Or the traces of things — they go missing every day around here.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they went missing" when referring to a group of people or items that have disappeared, especially when the circumstances are unclear or concerning. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "they went missing" when referring to a singular subject. Ensure the pronoun "they" accurately reflects a plural subject; otherwise, use "he/she went missing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they went missing" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state change – specifically, the act of disappearing or becoming lost. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe people, animals, or objects that have disappeared.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they went missing" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe the disappearance of a group. Ludwig confirms its widespread use, particularly in news and media contexts. While "they disappeared" and "they were lost" serve as alternatives, it's essential to ensure subject-verb agreement when using the phrase. Understanding the context and choosing the most appropriate synonym can enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they disappeared

Replaces "went missing" with a more direct synonym, implying a sudden absence.

they vanished

Similar to "disappeared", but suggests a more mysterious or complete absence.

they were lost

Emphasizes the state of being unlocatable, often implying a search is underway.

they were unaccounted for

Highlights the lack of information about their whereabouts, often used in official contexts.

their whereabouts are unknown

Focuses on the lack of knowledge about their location.

they are absent

A more general term for not being present, but can imply being missing in certain contexts.

they have not been seen

Emphasizes the lack of visual confirmation of their presence.

they could not be found

Highlights the unsuccessful attempts to locate them.

they are nowhere to be found

Emphasizes the complete lack of any trace of their location.

they are wanted persons

States that they are being searched for in the context of a crime or investigation.

FAQs

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

Use "they went missing" to describe a situation where a group of people disappeared. For example: "The hikers "they went missing" after the storm."

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

You can use alternatives like "they disappeared", "they vanished", or "they were lost" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "they are missing" is a grammatically correct alternative. The phrase ""they went missing"" indicates the action of disappearing, while "they are missing" indicates the current state of being lost.

What's the difference between "they went missing" and "they were missing"?

"They went missing" describes the event of disappearing, while "they were missing" describes the state of being absent or lost for a period of time. For example: "They went missing last week, and "they were missing" for several days."