was missing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was missing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is no longer present. For example: "The painting that was hanging on the wall was missing when I returned home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

But something was missing.

Princeton University

Which was missing before.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What was missing?

University of California, Berkeley

The jaw was missing.

The New Yorker

The chicken was missing.

The New York Times

A weapon was missing.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

"That opportunity was missed.

The New York Times

That too, was missed.

The Economist

An opportunity was missed.

The New Yorker

How he was missed.

BBC

Quantitative results were missing.

Fusion Engineering and Design

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was missing" to clearly indicate that something or someone is absent or has disappeared. Ensure the context provides sufficient information about what is missing and why it matters.

Common error

Avoid using "was missing" when a more precise term would better describe the situation. For example, instead of saying "The document was missing", specify if it was lost, stolen, or simply misplaced to give clarity to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was missing" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a noun's state of being absent or lacking. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is commonly used to denote something that is no longer present.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was missing" is a versatile and commonly used expression to denote the absence or lack of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Academia", its neutral register allows for broad application. When writing, ensure that the context clearly identifies what "was missing" and consider using more specific terms if greater clarity is needed. By understanding its function and usage, writers can effectively communicate absence and set the stage for further details or developments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was gone

A simpler, more direct way to express absence.

was absent

Replaces "missing" with "absent", emphasizing the lack of presence.

was lacking

Substitutes "missing" with "lacking", focusing on the deficiency.

was not present

Uses a more formal tone to indicate absence.

had disappeared

Implies that something vanished or was taken away.

couldn't be found

Highlights the inability to locate something.

was nowhere to be seen

Emphasizes the complete absence and inability to find something.

was omitted

Focuses on something being left out or excluded.

was deficient

Indicates a lack of something essential or required.

was excluded

Highlights the act of being deliberately left out.

FAQs

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

The phrase "was missing" indicates that something or someone is absent. For example: "The key that I needed "was missing" from my desk", or "After the storm, many houses "were missing" roofs.

What are some alternatives to saying "was missing"?

You can use alternatives like "was absent", "was lacking", or "was gone" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is missing" instead of "was missing"?

The correct tense depends on the time frame you are referring to. Use "is missing" to describe a current state (e.g., "The book is missing now"), and "was missing" to describe a past state (e.g., "The book "was missing" yesterday").

What is the difference between "was missing" and "had been missing"?

"Was missing" describes a state of absence at a specific point in the past, while "had been missing" describes a state of absence that began in the past and continued until another point in the past. For example, "The child "was missing" yesterday" versus "The child "had been missing" for three days before they were found".