Is ‘I missed you so much’ Correct in English Usage?
Yes, the phrase 'I missed you so much' is correct in English, but its usage might be a bit unusual. One would typically say 'I miss you so much' because psychological verbs like see and hope are normally used in the simple present tense. However, 'I missed you so much' emphasizes the strength of the feeling at the present moment, perhaps a surge of emotion.
When to Use ‘I Missed You So Much’
You could use this phrase in certain situations. For example, if the person you missed has just arrived at the airport and you picked them up, you could say the phrase while giving them a hug. It’s a quite intimate statement and in many cases, is reserved for your significant other.
Here are other options you could consider:
I missed you so much. I missed you a lot. I've missed you badly. I've missed you so much. I've missed you a lot.Usage in Different Time Frames
An expression like 'I missed you so much' is correct if you are referring to something in the past that has concluded. For example:
"Three years ago when you spent the summer in France, I missed you badly until you returned."
However, if you are referring to something in the past that hasn't yet concluded, you should use 'I have' or 'Ive':
"I'm glad you will finally be coming home. I've missed you badly."
Note that if you want to be correct but still informal, you should say 'I missed you very much' or 'I missed you a lot.' This is because 'so' in your sentence needs a prior reference, which is not available. However, it is frequently used in informal conversation.
Delicate Observation on ‘So’ in Sentences
A delicate observation about the use of 'so' in your sentence: It is typically used to set up a sentence containing a consequence, such as 'I missed you so much I talked to your picture for three hours every night'. It can also be used in exclamatory statements without setting up a consequence, like 'I missed you so much!'
Indeed, 'I missed you so much' is equivalent to 'I missed you very much', but the former conveys more emotion. Therefore, this phrase can be a powerful and expressive way to convey feelings.