miss

The word "miss" has a few different meanings when it’s used as a verb.

In the first set of examples, to miss something or someone is to wish for it because it’s no longer there or it’s in a distant location or time. Do not use continuous verbs (ing) for these situations.

• Ankita misses her boyfriend who moved to Europe.
• Edgar misses his parents now that he’s living in the United States.
• Yolanda and Juan missed seeing each other when they were apart, but now they’re back together again.
• Now that you’re married, what do you miss most about being single?
• I miss the carefree days of my youth.

A slightly different use for "miss" is when you can’t find something. In this case, continuous verbs are common:

• This puzzle is missing a few pieces.
• The store is missing a few thousand dollars.
• She’s missing a front tooth.
• You’re missing an assignment. Where is it?
• The police are looking for a missing child. (In this sentence, "missing" is an adjective.)

If you attempt to hit or throw something but are not successful, you miss it.

• Bobby swung at the ball and missed.
• Sheila tried to throw the cabbage into the garbage, but her aim was bad and she missed. The cabbage fell to the floor.
• That guy is a terrible basketball player. He always misses the basket.
• The forward missed the goal.

He missed the target.

If you schedule an appointment, a meeting, or a service of some kind but you can’t make it or you don’t go, you miss it.

• Larissa missed her flight to New York. She’ll have to get on another plane.
• Charles has been missing a lot of meetings lately.
• You missed your appointment. You’ll have to reschedule.
• Try not to miss any more classes.
• I’m sorry I missed the party. Was it fun?

There’s one other important use for the word "miss" which is completely different from its use as a verb. The word "miss" is a title for a woman who is not married.

• Our teacher is Miss Rickenbacker. (She’s not married. She’s single.)
• The principal’s name is Mrs. Fender (She’s married)
• Ms. Gibson is a lawyer. (We don’t know if she’s married or single. Professional women often choose "Ms.")

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March 28, 2015