I was devoid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was devoid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a lack of something, typically an emotion or quality, in a past context. Example: "After the loss, I was devoid of any joy or enthusiasm for life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I was devoid of emotion".

The Guardian

Taken to see The Nutcracker aged five, I disgraced myself by standing up in the auditorium and shouting "I want to be a fairy too!" Sadly, I was devoid of talent and quit ballet lessons that year, but the fantasy remained.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I was devoid of a decent sanitary house to live in, and ye provided no shelter for me.'" Dr. King said, "this is America's opportunity to help bridge the gulf between the haves and the have-nots.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The New Yorker, April 28 , 1934P. 85 In an article in Vogue on North Africa, by Mr. Cecil Beaton, has set me to wondering if I am devoid of a sense of beauty.

The New Yorker

By Bettina Wilson The New Yorker, April 28 , 1934P. 85 In an article in Vogue on North Africa, by Mr. Cecil Beaton, has set me to wondering if I am devoid of a sense of beauty.

The New Yorker

I am devoid of sloth, devoid of laziness, I'm a very healthy 62, and I want to write a lot more great novels and never relent in my pursuit of perfection and scope.

Vice

"You and I" is devoid of the musical arrangements from the version in Born This Way, and features instrumentation from a piano and a trumpet, which is played halfway through the song.

Wikipedia

"I think that marketers like cloud computing because it is devoid of substantive meaning.

TechCrunch

No wonder it is devoid of visitors.

The Economist

"The way I was raised was devoid of challenge," Miranda said.

The New York Times - Sports

The sea was devoid of life.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To sound more formal you can replace the sentence "I was devoid of" with "I was lacking in" or "I was without".

Common error

Avoid using "I was devoid" in situations where a simpler phrase would suffice. Saying "I was devoid of a pen" sounds overly dramatic; instead, say "I didn't have a pen."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was devoid" functions as a subject-verb-adjective structure, where "I" is the subject, "was" is the linking verb, and "devoid" acts as the predicate adjective describing the state of the subject. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is usable in written English to express a lack of something, typically an emotion or quality, in a past context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was devoid" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to indicate a complete lack of something, especially emotions or qualities. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. When writing, remember that "I was devoid" emphasizes a total absence and should be used when a simpler expression might not convey the same depth of feeling or condition. Consider alternatives like "I lacked" or "I was without" if a less emphatic statement is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I lacked

A more concise way to express a deficiency.

I was without

Indicates the absence of something, similar to being devoid.

I had no

A simple, direct way of stating a lack.

I felt absent of

Specifically relates to a feeling of absence.

I possessed no

Emphasizes a complete absence of possession.

I was completely missing

Highlights the total absence of something.

I couldn't find any

Focuses on the inability to locate or experience something.

I had a vacuum of

Implies an emptiness or void where something should be.

I was deficient in

A more formal way of stating a lack or shortage.

I was wanting in

Expresses a need or lack in a particular area.

FAQs

What does "I was devoid of" mean?

The phrase "I was devoid of" means that you completely lacked something, typically an emotion, quality, or resource. It suggests a total absence of whatever is specified.

How can I use "I was devoid of" in a sentence?

You can use "I was devoid of" to express a complete lack of something. For example, "After the accident, I was devoid of emotion." This indicates that you felt no emotions at all.

What can I say instead of "I was devoid of"?

You can use alternatives like "I lacked", "I was without", or "I had no" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "I lacked" or "I was devoid of"?

Both phrases indicate a lack of something, but "I was devoid of" implies a more complete absence. "I lacked" is a more general statement of deficiency, while "I was devoid of" suggests a total void.