I was devoid of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was devoid of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a lack or absence of something, often in a more formal or literary context. Example: "After the loss of my job, I was devoid of hope for the future."

✓ 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

No wonder it is devoid of visitors.

The Economist

America can't pretend that it is devoid of racism.

Huffington Post

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

The New York Times - Sports

We note that for all incubation times the bilayer surface was devoid of defects, i.e., holes in the upper monolayer or in the bilayer were never observed.

Biophysical Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was devoid of" to express a profound lack or absence of something, particularly in contexts where you want to convey a sense of emptiness or deprivation. For example, "After the long journey, I was devoid of all energy."

Common error

Avoid using "I was devoid of" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I lacked" or "I had no".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was devoid of" functions as a descriptive expression indicating a complete lack of something. It adds emphasis to the absence, as seen in Ludwig's examples such as "I was devoid of emotion" and "I was devoid of talent".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was devoid of" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating a complete lack of something. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. While relatively rare, it's most often found in news and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, consider its formal tone and opt for simpler alternatives in casual settings. Ludwig provides several examples to clarify its usage, such as expressing a lack of emotion or talent. Remember to emphasize emptiness when incorporating "I was devoid of" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I lacked

Uses a simpler verb to convey the absence of something, suitable for more informal contexts.

I had no

Expresses a complete absence of something in a direct and straightforward manner.

I felt a lack of

Emphasizes the feeling of absence, highlighting the subjective experience.

I experienced an absence of

More formal and descriptive, focusing on the experience of something missing.

I was without

A more literary way of expressing absence, suitable for descriptive writing.

I did not possess

Formal and emphasizes the lack of ownership or presence of something.

I was missing

Focuses on the state of being without something, suggesting it should be present.

I found myself without

Emphasizes the unexpected or realized state of being without something.

I had been stripped of

Implies that something was actively taken away, resulting in the absence.

I was wanting in

Highlights a deficiency or inadequacy in a specific quality or aspect.

FAQs

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

Use "I was devoid of" to express a complete absence or lack of something, often in a formal or descriptive context. For example, "After the tragic event, I was devoid of emotion" or "The landscape was devoid of any signs of life".

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

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

Is it correct to say "I am devoid of"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "I am devoid of". It means you completely lack something. For example, "I am devoid of any interest in sports".

What is the difference between "I lacked" and "I was devoid of"?

"I lacked" is a more straightforward and common way to express a lack of something. "I was devoid of" is more formal and emphasizes a complete absence or emptiness.