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What Do You Miss about Pre-Pandemic Life?

June 2, 2021

The word miss, meaning "to feel sadness about the absence or loss of something or someone," has been commonly used during the pandemic. Most of us miss our pre-pandemic lifestyle. We all missed a lot of people, things, and events in order to have a better future. Many of us feel like we (or the people we loved) missed out on something important. 

The verb miss can be used before a noun: 

  • I miss concerts. 
  • I miss my grandparents. 
  • I miss restaurant food.

The verb miss can also be used before an -ing verb (gerund). 

  • I miss seeing my friends. 
  • I miss going to the movies. 
  • I miss swimming. 

In some areas, life is starting to get back to normal (or at least a new normal). For the rest of our lives, we will use the verb miss to reflect on this historic period using the past form.

  • I missed ninth grade.
  • I missed going to hockey.
  • I missed traveling. 

Many people feel they missed out on something important during the pandemic. To miss out on something means "to not have the experience one expected or deserved." This multiword verb can be interchanged with missed, but it has a stronger meaning. The experience may never come along again.  

  • My son missed out on eighth grade graduation. 
  • Her parents missed out on the birth of their grandchild. 
  • She missed out on her first year of college.

Note: The acronymn FOMO stands for "fear of missing out" and is commonly used in social media posts.

We can also use miss in a negative form: 

  • I don't miss crowds. 
  • I don't miss in-person meetings. 
  • I don't miss commuting. 

Leave a Comment

  • What do you miss about pre-pandemic life? 
  • What did you miss out on during the pandemic?
  • What do you NOT miss about pre-pandemic life?
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Comments (35)

Tammy W.(Author)

I miss my favorite coffee shop :(
I missed out on a chance to visit my friend when he needed support.
I do not miss going to lots of events.

Reply to Comment

Tara Benwell(Author)

I missed my favourite coffee shop too! I'm happy we can now sit outside of it to enjoy a coffee. Hoping to get there for the first time this weekend.

Fari G.(Teacher)

what I miss is my family in England and France apart from that
not much , because we did not have a strict confinement in Japan
since the Covid-19
Thank you

Reply to Comment

Lei Kayanuma(Author)

Thank you for sharing, Fari!
I miss traveling.
I missed out on celebrating my friend's wedding.
I do not miss waiting in line at events.

Fari G.(Teacher)

You are welcome ,Lei Kayanuma !

Reply to Comment

Sabrina D.(Teacher)

I miss going out, doing things, and talking to people without a mask, a face shield, and foggy eyeglasses. 😷
I miss attending teaching seminars face to face. 🗣️
I missed out on a lot of great movies. (But thank goodness for Netflix!) 🍿🍿🍿
I don't miss waiting in long lines. 😒😒😒

Reply to Comment

Tara Benwell(Author)

Thanks for sharing, Sabrina. It's so helpful for students to see more examples! Wearing glasses and a mask has been a struggle for many people. I don't miss waiting in long lines either. :)

Kyeongki K.(Student)

  1. I miss playing basketball near my house. Because of the pandemic, the government removed basketball rings to prevent people from gathering.

  2. I missed out on my school trip. It was canceled.

  3. I don't miss waiting in long lines, too.

Reply to Comment

Tara Benwell(Author)

Thanks for sharing, Kyeongki! That's interesting that the basketball courts were removed. I'm so sorry you missed out on a school trip!

Katerina S.(Student)

Hi! I am from Czech Republic.

I miss concerts.
I miss my grandmother.
I miss being in a restaurant with my friends.
I miss travelling abroad.
I missed out on my friend's birthday party.
I missed out on a trip to England. It was canceled because of the pandemic.
I don't miss working every day.|
I don't miss crowded places.

Reply to Comment

Lei Kayanuma(Author)

Hi Katerina! Thank you for sharing. I hope that you will be able to enjoy those great things soon :)

vidalina mendoza(Guest)

I miss seeing the friendly smile of the people.

Reply to Comment

Tara Benwell(Author)

I miss seeing all the friendly smiles of my neighbours and family members too!

Dar B.(Teacher)

I miss being in a classroom with real live people and exchanging the energy we bring to that place.
I missed out on going to Tunisia to visit my love.
I miss people and their usual good manners!

Reply to Comment

Tara Benwell(Author)

Thanks for sharing these great examples, Dar! I hope life gets back to normal for you very soon!

Alexandra P.(Teacher)

Jessica: returning to China
James: my mother
Hui: parents
Cheuk Ho: summer activities
Bing: restaurants
Bin: Chinese restaurants
Asna: returning home
Zhendong: New Year
Wenting: travelling
Wanda: competitions
Rozina: siblings
Muhammet: speaking without a mask
Lan: travel
Jiangnan: friends

Reply to Comment

Lei Kayanuma(Author)

Hello, Alexandra! Thank you for sharing what your students miss. I hope that they can enjoy these great things soon :)

Dan Davis(Guest)

I miss eating out.

Reply to Comment

Tara Benwell(Author)

I think we're all looking forward to patio season again!

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