we were missing

USAGE SUMMARY

'we were missing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to express that something or someone was not present. For example: "When we arrived at the park, we were missing the picnic blanket."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I thought we were missing the point.

The New York Times

That's something we were missing last season".

The New York Times - Sports

"We were missing key players and we were missing a lot of shots.

The New York Times - Sports

"We were missing opportunities for key high-tech jobs.

The New York Times

"They started making their shots and we were missing ours".

The New York Times - Sports

"We were missing the nuance that would make her unique".

The New York Times - Style

"We were missing the latent educational potential they embody.

The New York Times - Arts

"We were missing some continuity in our game.

The Guardian - Sport

We were missing shots and shooting air balls.

The New York Times - Sports

It was just that extra half we were missing".

The Guardian - Sport

We were missing some of that New York edge.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were missing", ensure the context clearly indicates what was absent. For example, "We were missing key data for the analysis" is more specific than just "We were missing".

Common error

Avoid using "we were missing" without specifying what was missing. Overuse in vague contexts can make your writing unclear. Always provide context for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were missing" primarily functions as a statement indicating the absence or lack of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, reflecting its role in conveying that something or someone was not present.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were missing" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something or someone was absent. As Ludwig AI explains, it's appropriate for indicating a lack or deficiency across diverse contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media, sporting contexts and formal communications. For clarity, always specify what was missing. Related alternatives include phrases such as "we lacked" or "we were without", each with slight differences in emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure your sentence clearly communicates the missing element to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were lacking

Similar to "we lacked", but emphasizes an ongoing state of deficiency.

we did not have

A straightforward statement of not possessing something.

we lacked

Focuses on a deficiency or absence of something necessary.

we had not

More formal way to express absence or lack of something.

we were without

Emphasizes the state of not having something, often something essential.

we failed to include

Emphasizes a failure or oversight in incorporating something necessary.

we were short of

Indicates a deficit, often in terms of resources or quantity.

we needed but didn't have

Highlights both the necessity of something and its absence.

something was absent from our experience

Highlights the absence of something from a broader experience or context.

we omitted

Highlights intentional removal or leaving out of something, thus something is missed out.

FAQs

How can I use "we were missing" in a sentence?

Use "we were missing" to indicate that something or someone was absent or lacking. For example: "We were missing a crucial element in the equation", or "We were missing our star player during the game".

What is a synonym for "we were missing"?

Alternatives to "we were missing" include "we lacked", "we were without", or "we were lacking", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "we were missing of something"?

No, the correct preposition to use after "missing" in this context is generally omitted, or you might use 'from'. It's more appropriate to say "we were missing something", or "we were missing something from the list".

What's the difference between "we were missing" and "we missed"?

"We were missing" describes a state of absence at a particular time, while "we missed" describes the action of failing to include or experience something. For example, "We were missing the opportunity" (absence), vs. "We missed the opportunity" (failed to take it).