Can you say you miss something when you lost it in English?
Why do “I’m missing my phone” and “I miss my phone” have very different meanings?
In today’s episode, you’ll learn why grammar is crucial for the verb “miss.”
Do you lose things easily?
Lindsay asks Aubrey if she loses things easily.
Aubrey responds that she loses things all the time.
If she takes a purse or a bag to a restaurant, half the time she leaves it there and has to go back for it.
Lindsay admits that she does this with her phone.
She often misplaces it and can’t remember where she left it.
Today’s episode is inspired by a question asked in a Q&A session.
These weekly sessions are available to Personal Coach students in any All Ears English course.
In the Q&A, a student said: “My son misses his wallet.”
What they meant to say is: “My son is missing his wallet.”
These two sentences have very different meanings.
Lindsay and Aubrey will share how to navigate which verb tense is used for each meaning.
Verb tenses
When having a conversation, you want to use the right tense so you express yourself correctly.
You don’t want to confuse the person you’re talking to.
Lindsay and Aubrey walk you through the different verb tenses using the word “miss” so you can better understand how to use it.
#1: Present simple tense
In the present simple tense, the word “miss” never means we can’t find something.
One of the meanings is to fail to hit, catch, reach, or come into contact with something.
Examples:
I often miss the ball when I’m playing baseball.
I miss the bus whenever I wake up late.
The second meaning is to notice the absence of someone or something and feel sad or regretful about it.
Example:
She misses living in New York.
I miss my grandparents.
A third meaning is to fail to attend or experience something.
Example:
Can you send me the notes when I miss class?
Are you going to miss the party?
Lastly, the word “miss” in the present simple tense can mean to fail to understand or perceive something.
Example:
If you read too quickly, you might miss the deeper meaning of the article.
Sometimes I miss the joke, and someone has to explain it to me.
#2: Present continuous
When used in the present continuous tense, the verb “miss” also has several meanings.
The first is to not be able to find something.
Examples:
I’m missing my phone. Have you seen it?
My son is missing his wallet. He can’t find it anywhere.
Some meanings of “miss” can be expressed in each tense.
For example, “miss” in the present continuous can also mean to fail to attend, see, or experience something.
Example:
I’m missing class today. Can you send me your notes?
She’s missing the concert because she’s sick.
It can also mean to fail to understand or perceive something.
Example:
You’re missing the point!
I think we’re missing what’s important about the presentation.
Roleplay
Aubrey and Lindsay use the tips and vocabulary shared in today’s episode in a roleplay.
This will help you better understand how to use it in a normal English conversation.
In this scenario, Lindsay and Aubrey are friends meeting for lunch.
Lindsay: Good to see you! It’s been a while. What happened last weekend? You weren’t at the game.
Aubrey: Yeah, I missed it. My alarm didn’t go off, and by the time I got there, it was already over. (fail to attend)
Lindsay: Well, we missed you. (notice absence)
Aubrey: How did David do?
Lindsay: He actually didn’t play. I guess he missed the ball a lot in practice so the coach didn’t play him. He’ll get there! (fail to catch, hit etc.)
Aubrey: Hey I’ve been meaning to ask you – I’m missing my cell phone charger. Did I happen to leave it at your house? (can’t find)
Lindsay: I haven’t seen it, but I’ll keep an eye out.
Takeaway
A single verb can change its meaning entirely depending on the tense you use, and “miss” is the perfect example.
Getting the tense right not only helps you avoid misunderstandings but can also make your English sound more natural.
If you’d like more ways to strengthen your grammar while also sounding more fluent and natural, check out AEE 2485: Are You Practically Fluent in English?
