a sense of void

USAGE SUMMARY

"a sense of void" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It typically refers to a feeling of emptiness or lack of meaning or purpose. Example: After her loved one passed away, she was left with a sense of void that seemed impossible to fill.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

THERE is a sense of void among us.

The New York Times - Arts

If we don't face it and act in spite of it, we become powerless in so many areas of our lives and feel a sense of void and pessimism instead of fulfillment and hope.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Buying Twitter Followers Is Sinful, says Saudi Cleric English.alarabiya.net |  A Saudi cleric says it is a sin to buy Twitter followers and that he who does so "suffers from a sense of internal void".

The New York Times

Her passing leaves us with a deep sense of void.

The New York Times

Ligeti's Atmosphères, with its constantly shifting blobs of sound, generated an eerie sense of voids and spaces.

The Guardian - Music

To succeed, redevelopment must reweave the damaged threads of fabric that terrorism sought to tear apart, and create a sense of place that fills the void and honors the losses of Sept. 11.

The New York Times

He wanted to alleviate the horrible sense of void he'd felt on his way back home, when he moved forward in perfect ignorance, not knowing what he would see.

The New Yorker

An incontrovertible quietness and sense of void filled every crevice of my consciousness.

Huffington Post

One user tells me it really took off this year among regular drug users because it has become harder to find MDMA, and mephedrone, which gives similar effects such as a sense of euphoria and energy, filled that void.

The Guardian

The film covers the time of the Communist dictatorship, when the country was under Soviet dominion — and then follows to when that rigid order was swept away, leaving both a sense of boundless hope and a boundless void, creating a moment of seemingly limitless possibilities built on an impossible mourning for the entire vanished structure of the imagination.

The New Yorker

And because many members of the school community feel that a leadership void has been filled, a sense of pride and community have returned.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a sense of void", ensure the context clearly indicates what is missing or causing the feeling of emptiness. Providing context enhances the impact and understanding of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "a sense of void" in overly abstract or vague situations where it doesn't clearly relate to a specific loss, absence, or lack of purpose. Overuse can weaken its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sense of void" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., 'feel', 'experience', 'leave') or the complement of a linking verb. It identifies a feeling of emptiness or lack.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sense of void" is a grammatically sound and meaningful phrase used to express feelings of emptiness or absence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, although its frequency is relatively uncommon, appearing predominantly in News & Media contexts. When employing this phrase, clarity is key, and it's best used when a specific loss or lack is implied. Consider alternatives such as "a feeling of emptiness" or "a profound lack" for slight variations in emphasis. Ludwig's analysis underscores the importance of using the phrase in contexts where the underlying cause of the feeling is clear to the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sense of emptiness

Synonymous, but slightly more common and direct.

a feeling of emptiness

Focuses on the emotional experience of emptiness rather than the abstract concept of a void.

a feeling of hollowness

Emphasizes the internal feeling of being empty or lacking substance.

a profound lack

Highlights the absence of something important or necessary.

an absence of meaning

Directly addresses the lack of purpose or significance.

a lack of fulfillment

Focuses on the absence of satisfaction or contentment.

a vacuum of emotion

Specifically highlights the absence of feeling.

a dearth of substance

Focuses on the lack of content or real value.

a spiritual emptiness

Implies a lack of connection to something greater or higher.

a gaping hole

Uses a more figurative and visceral description of the emptiness.

FAQs

What does "a sense of void" mean?

The phrase "a sense of void" describes a feeling of emptiness, lack of purpose, or the absence of something significant in one's life or situation.

How can I use "a sense of void" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe feelings of loss, disappointment, or lack of meaning. For example, "After the project ended, she felt a sense of void."

What can I say instead of "a sense of void"?

You can use alternatives like "a feeling of emptiness", "an absence of meaning", or "a profound lack depending on the context.

Is "a sense of void" formal or informal?

The phrase "a sense of void" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it tends to appear more frequently in reflective or descriptive writing.