virtually missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually missing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is almost entirely absent or lacking, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The report was virtually missing any data on the project's progress, making it difficult to assess its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"But when I think of Ed Towns, I think of someone who's been virtually missing in action on the major issues that his constituents care about".

The New York Times

Accel, which usually sends a delegation of venture capitalists in search of the next big thing, is virtually missing in action — with the exception of Joe Schoendorf, a partner at the firm, who started the party almost two decades ago.

The New York Times

The latest update, published this month in the journal Communication & Sport, shows that women's athletics are virtually missing from TV.

Huffington Post

Until recently, evidence regarding the prevention of type 2 diabetes based on proper randomized controlled trials has been virtually missing.

Diabetes Care

In mammals both 5′ and 3′ UTRs are virtually missing [59] and 5′ regions are generally devoid of secondary structures [60], mirroring considerably lower numbers of translational activators identified in these organisms so far.

Biochimie

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"I've virtually missed half of the season, so theoretically I'll be extremely fresh for the second half".

BBC

This generic technique can be applied to virtually any missing data situation [ 18, 34- 36] and is now available in standard statistical software [ 6, 37, 38].

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Multiparental mapping using the GWAS approach used the unmodified SNP dataset, in which some nearby markers are in very low LD with each other due to ancestral recombination events between parental lines and there is virtually no missing data.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

It powers up extremely fast; you'll virtually never miss a water-park moment waiting for the camera to fire up.

The New York Times - Tech

Virtually all miss the point.

Huffington Post

She played only six tournaments in 2006, missing virtually six months through this year's Australian Open with the wrist injury.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually missing" to describe situations where something is so close to being absent that its effect is negligible. For example, "After the budget cuts, resources were virtually missing for the department."

Common error

Avoid using "virtually missing" when something is completely gone. "Virtually missing" implies a very small trace remains, whereas complete absence means nothing is left. For example, don't say "The evidence was virtually missing" if the evidence was entirely destroyed; instead, say "The evidence was missing."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually missing" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a state of near absence. It combines the adverb "virtually", meaning 'almost', with the adjective "missing", implying something is not present. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually missing" describes something nearly absent. It's grammatically correct and usable, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. While infrequent, its usage appears in News & Media and Science contexts. To enhance clarity, reserve this phrase for situations where something is almost, but not entirely, absent. Alternatives like "almost absent" or "nearly nonexistent" can provide similar meaning. Remember, "virtually missing" indicates a severe lack, not complete absence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost absent

Indicates near absence, but allows for a minimal presence.

nearly nonexistent

Emphasizes the extreme rarity or lack of existence.

practically absent

Suggests absence to a very high degree, with a slight possibility of being present.

effectively absent

Focuses on the practical outcome of being missing, even if technically present.

almost completely gone

Highlights that something has been removed or disappeared to a significant extent.

scarcely present

Underscores the minimal presence or visibility of something.

barely there

Emphasizes the minimal and almost undetectable presence.

essentially absent

Highlights the core absence of something even if it might be present in some form.

largely absent

Focuses on the substantial absence, implying that only a small portion remains.

tantamount to absent

Indicates that something has the same effect as being absent.

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually missing" to describe something that is almost entirely absent or lacking. For example: "Due to budget cuts, resources were "virtually missing"."

What can I say instead of "virtually missing"?

Alternatives include "almost absent", "nearly nonexistent", or "effectively absent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "virtually missing" is suitable for formal writing, as it is grammatically correct and conveys a clear meaning. However, ensure the context aligns with its intended meaning of near absence.

What's the difference between "virtually missing" and "completely missing"?

"Virtually missing" implies something is almost, but not entirely, absent, while "completely missing" indicates total absence. The choice depends on whether there's any trace, however minimal, of what's being described.