albeit empty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "albeit empty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to acknowledge a condition or state that is true, while also indicating a contrasting or limiting factor, in this case, emptiness. Example: "The room was beautifully decorated, albeit empty, giving it an air of elegance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's a nice, albeit empty, routine to cling to, because at this point nothing matters.

The New Yorker

Virtually bereft of critically-acclaimed masterpieces and instead characterized by visceral (albeit empty) spectacles of annihilation, the genre provides audiences with an embarrassment of riches in the "So bad, it's good" department.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

After all, this pool is Manhattan's 35th outdoor swimming pool (albeit an empty one).

The Guardian - Arts

The installation pieces are the most spectacular, albeit the emptiest and most generic.

The New York Times - Arts

He won the forum 57 to 16 with 27 undecided, albeit against an empty chair.

The Guardian

While the focus was on Athens, the Greek islands were quietly going about their business – albeit with many empty tables and rooms but with a warm welcome to tourists who had travelled there.

The Guardian - Travel

The RSS facility is nevertheless available on the master site albeit in an empty state (see Fig. 7).

International Journal for Educational Integrity

The five other Republican candidates for president have all committed to the PBS debate and Smiley plans to proceed with the plans - albeit with four empty lecterns on stage.

Huffington Post

Others have dismissed it as an empty threat, albeit a dangerous and irresponsible one.

The Guardian

Such unrestrained expansion may work in parts of America where there is plenty of empty land (albeit at a cost to the environment and often to the quality of life).

The Economist

And the BBC and other broadcasters do use the empty chair, albeit on less high-profile occasions: if a news maker is unwilling to face the cameras, best practice is to say so and to cover the topic anyway.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "albeit empty" to acknowledge a prevailing condition while introducing a contrasting element of emptiness or lack of substance, adding nuance to your description.

Common error

Avoid using "albeit empty" when a direct contradiction is intended. "Albeit" implies a concession, not a complete negation. If there's no element of concession, a simpler conjunction might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "albeit empty" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a preceding clause by expressing a concession or qualification. As Ludwig AI explains, it acknowledges a state while simultaneously introducing a contrasting element of emptiness. The phrase adds nuance by admitting one aspect while highlighting its deficiency.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "albeit empty" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to convey a sense of concession coupled with hollowness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, noting its function to acknowledge a condition while highlighting a contrasting emptiness. While not overly frequent, it appears most commonly in news and scientific contexts. Related phrases such as "though vacant" or "even if unoccupied" can offer similar nuanced meanings. When using "albeit empty", ensure it is appropriate for situations where there is a contrast between an apparent positive aspect and an underlying lack of substance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

though vacant

Replaces "albeit" with "though", maintaining the sense of contrast, while "vacant" directly substitutes "empty".

even if unoccupied

Uses "even if" to convey the concession and "unoccupied" as a synonym for "empty".

despite being vacant

Similar to "even if unoccupied", but uses "despite" for concession.

while hollow

Replaces "albeit" with "while", indicating a simultaneous, contrasting quality of hollowness.

notwithstanding its emptiness

Presents a more formal alternative, emphasizing the emptiness despite other factors.

though desolate

Substitutes "empty" with "desolate", implying a sense of abandonment.

even though bare

Uses "bare" instead of "empty", suggesting a lack of content or covering.

while possessing nothing

More verbose, emphasizing the lack of contents or substance.

although without contents

A formal alternative, highlighting the absence of contents.

though uninhabited

Implies lack of population as opposed to content.

FAQs

How can I use "albeit empty" in a sentence?

You can use "albeit empty" to show a contrast or concession. For instance, "The gesture was kind, "albeit empty" of any real solution."

What are some alternatives to using "albeit empty"?

Alternatives include phrases like "though vacant", "even if unoccupied", or "while hollow", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "albeit empty"?

While grammatically correct, "albeit empty" is most appropriate when there is a slight contrast or unexpectedness to the emptiness. If something is expected to be empty, using a simpler term might suffice.

What's the difference between "albeit empty" and "but empty"?

"Albeit" implies a degree of concession or acknowledgement before introducing the emptiness, whereas "but" simply introduces a contrasting fact. "Albeit empty" suggests a nuance that "but empty" might lack.