What is missing? Pronunciation and usage in English

missing means . Learn how to pronounce and use missing through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of missing

missingadjective

/ˈmɪsɪŋ/
Definition & pronunciation of missing

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "missing" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Basic Sound:

  • "miss": This part is fairly straightforward. Pronounce it like "miss" as in "I miss you." The "i" is a short "i" sound, like in "bit."
  • "ing": This is where it gets tricky. The "ing" at the end doesn't sound like the "ing" in "sing" or "ring."

2. The Breakdown & How to Say It:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is: "mīs-ing"

Let's break it down further:

  • "mīs": Say "miss" quickly and with a slightly elongated "i" sound. It's a bit like you're holding the vowel sound longer than you would in "miss." (Think of it as a longer "i" than a quick "i".)
  • "ing": This is the tricky part. It's a very slight "sh" sound immediately after the "mīs" sound. It's almost like you’re adding a very subtle “sh” to the "i" sound. It's not like the regular "ing" sound.

3. Minimal Pairs to Practice:

To really get it, try practicing with minimal pairs – words that differ by only one sound:

  • "miss" (pronounced as in "I miss...")
  • "sing" (pronounced as in "I sing...")
  • "ring" (pronounced as in "I ring...")

Notice how "missing" has that slightly "sh" sound at the end like "miss-sh-ing."

4. Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

  • Google Translate: Type "missing" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon. This will often give you a good, clear pronunciation.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/missing/ - This website has pronunciations recorded by native speakers. Listen to several to get a feel for the variations.
  • YouTube: Search YouTube for "how to pronounce missing" – you’ll find many videos explaining the sound.

Key Tip: The "missing" sound is very common in American English. British English often has a slightly different pronunciation, but the above explanation is fairly standard.

Would you like me to:

  • Provide additional examples?
  • Focus on a particular aspect of the pronunciation (e.g., the "sh" sound)?

Usage and examples with the word missing in English

Let's break down how to use the word "missing" in English. It has several different meanings and uses, so it's important to understand the context. Here's a breakdown:

1. Absence – The Most Common Use

  • Meaning: Not present; absent; not here.
  • Examples:
    • "I'm missing my friend." (I wish they were here.)
    • "The package is missing." (It hasn't arrived.)
    • "She's missing from the photo." (She's not in the picture.)
    • "The key is missing from my desk." (It's not on my desk.)

2. Lost – Specifically Referring to People

  • Meaning: Lost or unaccounted for, usually implying concern (often in the context of a person). This is a very common usage.
  • Examples:
    • "A little boy is missing from his school playground." (He's lost and his parents are worried.)
    • "The police are searching for a missing hiker." (The hiker hasn’t returned.)
    • "She reported her husband as missing after he didn't come home." (Serious concern is indicated.)

3. Missing Parts/Elements – Something is incomplete

  • Meaning: Lacking something; incomplete; not having something that should be there.
  • Examples:
    • “The puzzle is missing a piece.” (One piece is not part of the completed puzzle.)
    • "My document is missing several pages." (Pages are absent from the document.)
    • "The recipe is missing the baking time." (A crucial step is missing from the instructions.)

4. Missing (As a Verb – To Feel or Want Something)

  • Meaning: To feel a lack of something; to yearn for something. This is often used with "something" or "someone."
  • Examples:
    • "I'm missing you!" (I feel a lack of your presence.)
    • "She's missing her family terribly." (She's deeply longing for her family.)
    • "He's missing the excitement of the game." (He wants to be part of the excitement.)

5. “Missing Person” – Official Terminology

  • Meaning: A term used by law enforcement to describe someone who has gone missing and is considered to be in danger or whose whereabouts are unknown.
  • Example: "The authorities are investigating the disappearance of a missing person."

Key Phrases & Constructions

  • "Missing person flyer": A poster with a picture and information about a missing person.
  • "Be missing no details": (Informal) “Make sure you don't leave out any important information.”
  • "Missing data": (Technical) Data that is absent or incomplete.

Tips for Using "Missing" Correctly

  • Context is crucial: The meaning of "missing" depends entirely on the sentence and situation.
  • Consider the emotion: When used to describe a person, “missing” often carries a feeling of concern or longing.
  • Synonyms: Depending on the meaning, you could use words like “lost,” “absent,” “lacking,” “incomplete,” “yearning.”

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of sentence are you trying to write that includes "missing"? (e.g., “I’m missing my cat,” “The report is missing information,” “I’m missing you.”)

Synonyms for the word missing

Practice with vocabulary missing

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. A critical file required for the software installation is ____________ from the main directory.
  2. The project proposal was deemed ____________ because it failed to address the budget constraints adequately.
  3. Despite thorough checks, several key sources were ____________ from the bibliography of the research paper.
  4. The CEO's administrative assistant was ____________ from the morning meeting due to a sudden illness.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The security team reported that an important server rack was ________ from its designated location. a) misplaced b) stolen c) missing d) lost

  2. The company's performance review indicated that several employees were ________ essential project management skills. a) scarce in b) deficient in c) lacking d) absent for

  3. After the system crash, several crucial data records were ________ from the main database. a) irretrievable b) unaccounted for c) missing d) corrupted

  4. Due to the unexpected surge in demand, raw materials became increasingly ________, impacting production schedules. a) rare b) scarce c) insufficient d) limited

  5. The audit revealed a ________ entry in the financial report, causing a significant discrepancy in the overall figures. a) missing b) incomplete c) erroneous d) overlooked

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. A crucial component was not present in the machinery, causing a halt in production.

    • Rewrite, using "missing" or a related word form:

  2. The team could not proceed with their analysis because they lacked some vital data.

    • Rewrite, using "missing" or a related word form:

  3. Due to an oversight, one important detail was not included in the final draft of the policy document.

    • Rewrite, using a suitable replacement word (do not use "missing"):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. A critical file required for the software installation is missing from the main directory.
  2. The project proposal was deemed lacking because it failed to address the budget constraints adequately.
  3. Despite thorough checks, several key sources were missing from the bibliography of the research paper.
  4. The CEO's administrative assistant was absent from the morning meeting due to a sudden illness.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The security team reported that an important server rack was c) missing from its designated location.
  2. The company's performance review indicated that several employees were b) deficient in, c) lacking essential project management skills.
  3. After the system crash, several crucial data records were b) unaccounted for, c) missing from the main database.
  4. Due to the unexpected surge in demand, raw materials became increasingly b) scarce, d) limited (or a) rare, c) insufficient, depending on nuance) impacting production schedules.
  5. The audit revealed a a) missing, b) incomplete, d) overlooked entry in the financial report, causing a significant discrepancy in the overall figures.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. A crucial component was missing from the machinery, causing a halt in production.
  2. The team could not proceed with their analysis because of some missing vital data. (or "...because some vital data was missing.")
  3. Due to an oversight, one important detail was omitted from the final draft of the policy document. (Alternative: "overlooked")

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