Misses or Missed? Understanding the Difference
In English, the words misses and missed are commonly used, but they serve different grammatical functions and are used in different contexts. Both words come from the verb “miss,” which has several meanings, including failing to hit, reach, or notice something, or feeling sorrow or regret about the absence of someone or something.
In this article, we’ll explore the differences between misses and missed, their correct usage in various contexts, and provide examples to illustrate how they work. We’ll also offer practice questions with answers to help you fully understand when to use misses or missed.
Table of Contents
The Difference Between Misses and Missed
Misses (Present Tense)
Misses is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb miss. This means that it is used when you are talking about someone (he, she, it) or something that is currently missing or failing to connect with something else.
- Definition:
To fail to hit, reach, or make contact with something; to feel the absence of someone or something. - When to Use It:
Use misses when referring to actions happening right now (in the present) or something that happens regularly. - Example Sentences:
- She always misses the bus in the morning.
- He misses his family when he’s away on business trips.
- The soccer player misses the goal more often than he scores.
In these sentences, misses is used because the subject (she, he, the soccer player) is performing the action in the present.
Missed (Past Tense)
Missed is the past tense and past participle of the verb miss. It is used when referring to an action that has already happened, and it can also be used in perfect tenses (e.g., have missed, had missed).
- Definition:
To have failed to hit, reach, or make contact with something; to have felt the absence of someone or something. - When to Use It:
Use missed when referring to actions that occurred in the past or when using perfect tenses to describe actions that are complete. - Example Sentences:
- I missed the train this morning and had to wait for the next one.
- They missed their chance to win the game.
- We have missed several meetings this month.
In these examples, missed is used because the action (missing the train, missing the chance, missing meetings) occurred in the past.
How To Choose Between Misses and Missed
To decide whether to use misses or missed, consider the tense of the sentence:
- Use Misses: If the action is happening in the present or is a habitual action. This form is only used with third-person singular subjects (he, she, it).
- Use Missed: If the action happened in the past. This form can be used with all subjects (I, you, he, they, etc.) in the past tense.
Here’s a simple way to break it down:
- Present Tense:
- He/she/it misses (right now or regularly).
- Past Tense:
- I/you/he/she/we/they missed (already happened).
Examples of Misses vs. Missed in Sentences
To further clarify, let’s look at some pairs of sentences that use misses and missed in different contexts:
- Present Tense (Misses):
She often misses her morning workout.
(This refers to a regular occurrence in the present.) Past Tense (Missed):
She missed her morning workout yesterday.
(This refers to one specific time in the past.) - Present Tense (Misses):
He never misses an episode of his favorite show.
(This refers to a habitual action in the present.) Past Tense (Missed):
He missed last week’s episode because he was traveling.
(This refers to a single event in the past.) - Present Tense (Misses):
The player misses the basket every time he shoots.
(This refers to a repeated action in the present.) Past Tense (Missed):
The player missed the basket on his last attempt.
(This refers to one specific event in the past.)
Common Mistakes and How To Avoid Them
1. Using Misses with the Wrong Subject
One of the most common mistakes is using misses with a subject that is not third-person singular. Remember, misses is only used with he, she, or it. If the subject is I, you, we, or they, you should not use misses. Instead, use miss or missed (depending on the tense).
- Incorrect:
I misses the train every morning.
Correct:
I miss the train every morning. - Incorrect:
They misses their friends when they’re away.
Correct:
They miss their friends when they’re away.
2. Using Missed for Present Actions
Another common mistake is using missed in situations where the action is happening in the present. Missed is a past-tense verb, so it should only describe actions that have already happened.
- Incorrect:
She missed the bus every day this week. (if referring to an ongoing situation in the present)
Correct:
She misses the bus every day this week.
3. Confusing Misses for Mrs.
Sometimes, people mistakenly think the word misses (the verb) is the same as Mrs. (the title for a married woman). These two words are entirely different. Misses is a verb that means “fails to hit or reach,” while Mrs. is a title used before a married woman’s last name.
- Incorrect:
Mrs. Johnson misses her appointment yesterday.
Correct:
Mrs. Johnson missed her appointment yesterday.
Practice Questions: Misses or Missed?
Let’s test your understanding of the difference between misses and missed with the following practice questions.
Question 1:
Which word is correct in the following sentence?
- He always _ his meetings when he’s out of the office.
a) misses
b) missed
Answer:
a) He always misses his meetings when he’s out of the office.
Explanation: The action is happening regularly in the present, so we use misses.
Question 2:
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb:
- They _ their flight this morning because of traffic.
Answer:
They missed their flight this morning because of traffic.
Explanation: The action happened this morning, which is in the past, so we use missed.
Question 3:
True or False:
You can use misses with the subject I.
Answer:
False.
Explanation: Misses is only used with third-person singular subjects (he, she, it), not with I.
Question 4:
Which sentence is correct?
- a) She missed her family every day while she was abroad.
- b) She misses her family every day while she was abroad.
Answer:
a) She missed her family every day while she was abroad.
Explanation: The action happened in the past, so we use missed.
Question 5:
Fill in the blank:
- The cat _ the mouse by just a few inches.
Answer:
The cat missed the mouse by just a few inches.
Explanation: Since this is describing a specific event in the past (the cat didn’t catch the mouse), we use missed.
Conclusion
In summary, the difference between misses and missed comes down to tense:
- Misses: Present tense, used with third-person singular subjects (he, she, it), and refers to actions happening now or regularly.
- Missed: Past tense, used with all subjects, and refers to actions that have already happened.
By understanding the difference and practicing with examples, you can confidently use misses and missed in the right context and avoid common mistakes. Whether you’re writing about someone who regularly misses something or someone who missed an opportunity in the past, knowing which form to use will make your writing clearer and more accurate.
Quick Recap:
- Misses: Present tense, third-person singular (he, she, it), e.g., She misses the bus.
- Missed: Past tense, all subjects (I, you, he, they, etc.), e.g., They missed the chance.
Now that you’ve mastered the difference, you won’t miss out on using the correct form of misses or missed in your writing!
