English grammar
Something, anything, nothing — and "is missing"
Say that something — or nothing — is missing.
From the scene Nothing is missing
In short
Use something in positive sentences, anything in questions, and nothing with a positive verb. The missing thing + is missing.
Your turn
Which one goes with positive: something?
Options: Something is missing · Nothing is missing (NOT "isn't missing nothing") · Is anything else missing?
Show answer
positive: something → Something is missing
How it works
Something goes in positive sentences, anything in questions and after not, and nothing when there is no other negative.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Wait... (blank) missing. Where is my frying pan?
Options: nothing's · something's · anything's
Show answer
Wait... something's missing. Where is my frying pan?
Espera... falta algo. ¿Dónde está mi sartén?
Good to know
Nothing is missing = There isn't anything missing.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
And (blank) else is missing... just the whole breakfast!
Options: nothing · anything · not anything
Show answer
And nothing else is missing... just the whole breakfast!
¡Y no falta nada más... solo falta todo el desayuno!
Good to know
To say something isn't there, make the missing thing the subject + is missing: the frying pan is missing.
Good to know
Use only one negative: never "isn't missing nothing".
no other negative: nothing Nothing is missing (NOT "isn't missing nothing")
Elena
Yes, yes. Nothing is missing.
Sí, sí. No falta nada.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes, yes. (blank).
Options: Is anything else missing · Nothing is missing · Something is missing
Show answer
Elena
Yes, yes. Nothing is missing.
Sí, sí. No falta nada.
positive: something Something is missing
Your turn
What goes with Something is missing?
Options: question: anything · positive: something · no other negative: nothing
Show answer
Something is missing → positive: something
question: anything Is anything else missing?
Nuria
Is anything else missing in the kitchen?
¿Falta algo más en la cocina?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) in the kitchen?
Options: Is anything else missing · Nothing is missing · Something is missing
Show answer
Nuria
Is anything else missing in the kitchen?
¿Falta algo más en la cocina?
the missing thing is the subject The frying pan is missing (NOT "lacks the pan")
Your turn
What goes with The frying pan is missing (NOT "lacks the pan")?
Options: no other negative: nothing · positive: something · the missing thing is the subject
Show answer
The frying pan is missing (NOT "lacks the pan") → the missing thing is the subject
Common mistake
Not Anything or Not anything here. Everything is OK — one negative word, positive verb.
Yes, yes. Nothing is missing.
Sí, sí. No falta nada.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| no other negative: nothing | Nothing is missing (NOT "isn't missing nothing") |
|---|---|
| positive: something | Something is missing |
| question: anything | Is anything else missing? |
| the missing thing is the subject | The frying pan is missing (NOT "lacks the pan") |
More lines from the story
- ElenaWait... something's missing. Where is my frying pan?Espera... falta algo. ¿Dónde está mi sartén?
- ElenaAnd nothing else is missing... just the whole breakfast!¡Y no falta nada más... solo falta todo el desayuno!
- ElenaYes... my sugar has disappeared too.Sí... también ha desaparecido mi azúcar.
- ElenaYes! The churro pan is missing.¡Sí! Falta la sartén de los churros.