were missing

USAGE SUMMARY

"were missing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are making a statement about something that has gone missing. For example, "We noticed that several books were missing from the library shelves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Several were missing eyes.

The New York Times

Hundreds more were missing.

The Economist

Volunteer firefighters were missing.

The New York Times

Two Justices were missing.

The New Yorker

Fifteen people were missing.

The New York Times

Many were missing pages.

The New York Times - Sports

Four rounds were missing.

The New Yorker

Stanchions were missing.

The New York Times

The friends were missing.

The New York Times

Three people were missing.

The New York Times

Some papers were missing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about missing items or people, ensure that the context clearly indicates what is expected to be present but is not. For example, "Several files were missing from the cabinet."

Common error

Avoid using "were missing" with singular nouns. It is grammatically incorrect to say "The key were missing"; instead, use "The key was missing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were missing" functions as a verb phrase indicating the absence or lack of something or someone. It typically follows a plural subject and describes a state of being absent. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples showing its role in reporting absences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were missing" is a versatile and frequently used way to indicate that multiple items or individuals are absent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While generally neutral in tone, the specific context can influence the overall formality. Remember to use "were missing" with plural subjects and avoid it with singular nouns to maintain grammatical accuracy. Consider alternatives like "were absent" or "were unaccounted for" in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were lost

Simple and direct, indicating that something is no longer in one's possession or knowledge.

were absent

Highlights the state of not being present, focusing on the lack of presence at a specific location or event.

were unaccounted for

Implies that the whereabouts of something is unknown, often used in situations where tracking is expected.

were nowhere to be found

Stresses the inability to locate something, suggesting a thorough search has been conducted without success.

had gone astray

Emphasizes the idea that something has wandered off or become lost, often implying a deviation from an intended path.

had vanished

Conveys a sense of sudden disappearance, suggesting something has disappeared quickly and without a trace.

were lacking

Similar to 'deficient' but more general, indicating that something is missing or not available.

were misplaced

Suggests something was put in the wrong place, implying a temporary loss that is likely to be resolved.

were deficient

Highlights a lack or shortage, often used to describe something lacking necessary qualities or components.

were stolen

Indicates that something was taken illegally, often implying a criminal act.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were missing" indicates that multiple items or individuals are absent. For example, "The documents "were missing" from the safe" or "Several guests "were missing" at the party".

What's a formal alternative to "were missing"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "were absent", "were unaccounted for", or "were not present". For instance, instead of "The funds "were missing"", you might say "The funds "were unaccounted for"".

What's the difference between "were missing" and "was missing"?

"Were missing" is used with plural subjects, while "was missing" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The files "were missing"" (plural) versus "The file "was missing"" (singular).

What can I say instead of "were missing" to emphasize something was stolen?

If you want to emphasize that something was stolen rather than simply absent, use phrases like "were stolen", "had been pilfered", or "had been taken". For example, "The jewels "were missing", indicating they "were stolen"".