Missing vs She still isn't here

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Missing

Top 2,000 (common)A2adjective

She still isn't here

Top 2,000 (common)
 MissingShe still isn't here
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ˈmɪsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈmɪsɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 //ʃiː stɪl ɪznt hɪə//🇺🇸 //ʃi stɪl ɪznt hɪr//
MeaningNot present or lost.She is not here yet.
ExampleShe was missing her keys and couldn't find them anywhere.She still isn't here; we should start without her.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelA2-
Part of speechadjective
Collocationsbe, go, discover somebody, completely, entirely, totally, from, missing in action, missing, presumed dead, be, go, discover somebody, completely, entirely, totally, from, missing in action, missing, presumed dead, be, go, discover somebody, completely, entirely, totally, from, missing in action, missing, presumed dead, be, go, discover somebody, completely, entirely, totally, from, missing in action, missing, presumed deadwait for her, expect her, arrive late
Antonymspresent, found, available-
Common mistakes'Missing' used as a noun instead of an adjective., Confused with 'missed' in situations involving time., 'Missing' used without an object, leading to confusion.Confused with 'isn't here' vs 'isn't there'., Misused in negative questions, like 'Isn't she here?' instead of 'Why isn't she here?'., Forget to use 'still' for ongoing situations.
Usage notesUse 'missing' to describe something that cannot be found. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid it in highly technical discussions where specific terms are needed.Used to indicate someone's absence. It's common in casual conversation and can express impatience or expectation.

See it in real clips

Missing
She still isn't here

Frequently asked questions: Missing vs She still isn't here

What's the difference between Missing and She still isn't here?

Missing: Not present or lost. She still isn't here: She is not here yet.

Can you show an example of each?

Missing: She was missing her keys and couldn't find them anywhere. She still isn't here: She still isn't here; we should start without her.

Can I use Missing and She still isn't here interchangeably?

Not always. Missing and She still isn't here are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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