all but devoid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all but devoid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is almost completely lacking in a particular quality or substance. Example: "The landscape was all but devoid of vegetation, leaving a barren expanse of dry earth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

All but devoid of art, the show succeeds on sheer curatorial imagination.

The New York Times - Arts

All but devoid of its namesake ingredient, the dish was mostly about heavy cream.

The New York Times

Madonna is a curt, cool cookie whose painfully flat performance is all but devoid of feeling.

The New York Times

Their world may be rife with design problems, but it appears all but devoid of moral or philosophical ones.

The New York Times

7. Art galleries everywhere refraining from organizing group exhibitions that are all but devoid of female artists.

The New York Times - Arts

A strange-but-true brew of injuries, accidents and serial inconsistencies left the W.T.A. Tour all but devoid of this critical raw material last season.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"To me, green represents comfort and ease". Next he selected old and new furnishings, all of them sleek but devoid of jarring pattern and ornament.

Los Angeles Times

For Haynes's film is All That Heaven Allows revisited, but devoid of irony or kitsch.

The Guardian - Film

Some have appealed to conceivability arguments for support, such as the alleged conceivability of zombies molecularly identical with conscious humans but devoid of all phenomenal consciousness (Campbell 1970, Kirk 1974, Chalmers 1996).

SEP

Most of the action is laughable, and the scenes in which various characters casually fight mummies are frequent but devoid of all thrills: some kicking and bone-cracking, a few scenes of mindless chit-chat, and then they're right back at it!

Vice

It is all beautifully controlled and mordantly funny, but devoid of warmth a lot like the gilded, heartless people he is writing about.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all but devoid" to create a sense of starkness or extreme lack, emphasizing the almost complete absence of something significant in a particular context. Be mindful of the impact this phrase has on tone, as it can convey a sense of desolation or deficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "all but devoid" in situations where the absence is not truly significant or where the phrase sounds melodramatic. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing seem hyperbolic. Opt for a more neutral description if the lack is not a central point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all but devoid" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that the noun is almost completely lacking in a particular quality or characteristic. It acts as a descriptive modifier, emphasizing a state of near-absence. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "all but devoid" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes a near-complete absence of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating a neutral to slightly sophisticated register. When using this phrase, consider the impact of emphasizing such a strong lack and avoid overuse. Alternatives such as "nearly lacking" or "virtually absent" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly lacking

This phrase is less emphatic than "all but devoid", suggesting something is almost but not completely missing.

almost without

Similar in meaning, it focuses on the absence rather than the state of being empty.

virtually absent

This alternative emphasizes the near-total absence of something.

practically nonexistent

This phrase suggests the subject is close to not existing.

scarcely containing

This focuses on the minimal content, implying something should be there but isn't.

almost entirely lacking

This alternative stresses the comprehensiveness of the lack.

bereft of nearly all

More formal and literary, emphasizing a severe deprivation.

substantially without

Highlights the significant absence, often used in legal or formal contexts.

largely missing

Suggests that the majority of something is not present.

effectively emptied of

Indicates a process that has led to a state of near-emptiness.

FAQs

How can I use "all but devoid" in a sentence?

You can use "all but devoid" to describe something that is nearly or almost completely lacking a particular quality or substance. For example, "The landscape was "all but devoid" of trees."

What phrases are similar to "all but devoid"?

Alternatives include "nearly lacking", "virtually absent", or "practically nonexistent". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "all but devoid" formal or informal?

"All but devoid" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it may lend a slightly more sophisticated tone to your writing. It's frequently used in news articles, scientific papers, and general prose.

When should I avoid using "all but devoid"?

Avoid using "all but devoid" if the lack is minimal or insignificant. In such cases, simpler and more direct descriptions are preferred. Also, be cautious of overuse, as it can weaken the impact of the phrase.