almost vacant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost vacant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a space or area that is nearly empty or unoccupied. Example: "The office was almost vacant, with only a few desks remaining occupied by late-night workers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Or almost vacant.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Morgenroth sits in his office overlooking an almost vacant office complex.

The New York Times

As Schumer himself put it the other morning, to the almost vacant Senate chamber, "This is not a drill".

The New Yorker

Once they take the court, the villain mystique is gone, the look in their opponents' eyes almost vacant.

The New York Times - Sports

It could be deduced that group-IV metals inherit the potential for optimal polymerizing catalysts probably, because of their almost vacant d-orbitals, these act as hard acids which on combination with soft bases carry the opportunity to design and develop polymerization catalysts which could overcome the problems associated with existing systems.

Applied Petrochemical Research

She's wearing a striped polo shirt, a striped skirt, and an almost vacant stare.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Its owner, Cove Associates, is renovating a 30,000-square-foot brick building in an almost-vacant shopping center.

The New York Times

Underground With Deep Throat A few scenes later they meet, lonely figures in a creepy, almost-vacant underground garage.

The New York Times

Apartment buildings are almost completely vacant.

The New York Times

With almost no vacant land, the community has little room to build any more new houses.

The New York Times

"What about you then, Karl Ove?" he said, gazing at me through his glazed, almost completely vacant eyes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the state of a location, consider the specific context to determine if "almost vacant" accurately conveys the degree of emptiness. It implies a near-empty state but not complete abandonment.

Common error

Avoid using "almost vacant" when you mean completely empty. The phrase indicates a space that is nearly, but not entirely, devoid of occupants or contents. Use "vacant" or "empty" instead to indicate a completely unoccupied space.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost vacant" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that something is close to being empty or unoccupied. This description provides information about the state or condition of the noun it modifies, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost vacant" is a grammatically sound and usable adjective phrase in English, as affirmed by Ludwig. It's used to describe a space that is nearly empty but not completely so. Found most commonly in news and media, and sometimes in science, this phrase conveys a specific degree of vacancy. Remembering to use it when you mean 'nearly empty' rather than 'completely empty' will ensure clarity and precision in your writing. Consider using alternatives like "nearly empty" or "virtually deserted" for variety and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly empty

Focuses on the degree of emptiness, suggesting a high percentage of the space is unused.

close to empty

A more direct and simpler way to express that something is nearing emptiness.

practically unoccupied

Highlights the lack of occupants, emphasizing the state of being without residents or users.

not far from empty

A more conversational way to say that a space is close to being empty.

virtually deserted

Implies an abandonment, suggesting the space is almost completely devoid of people.

largely uninhabited

Emphasizes the lack of inhabitants, suitable for describing buildings or areas with few residents.

almost devoid of

Highlights the absence of something, emphasizing what is missing from the space.

scarcely populated

Indicates a low density of people in the area, focusing on the sparse distribution.

nearing vacancy

Suggests the process of becoming vacant is in progress, indicating a transition.

approaching emptiness

Similar to 'nearing vacancy', but focuses more on the state of emptiness itself.

FAQs

What does "almost vacant" mean?

"Almost vacant" means that a place or space is nearly empty, but not quite. There might be a few people or things present, but the space is largely unoccupied.

What can I say instead of "almost vacant"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly empty", "practically unoccupied", or "virtually deserted" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "almost vacant"?

Yes, it is correct to say "almost vacant". It is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a space that is close to being empty.

How do I use "almost vacant" in a sentence?

You can use "almost vacant" to describe various locations. For example: "The office was "almost vacant" after 6 PM", or "The stadium was "almost vacant" during the off-season".