are devoid of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are devoid of" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means lacking or completely without something. Example: The empty shelves in the store are devoid of any toilet paper.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"His few reports are devoid of content.

The Guardian - Books

Other interiors are devoid of people.

The Guardian - Arts

Often the photos are devoid of context.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some are devoid of extra-topical interest.

The New York Times

On Arden Street, most escapes are devoid of clutter.

The New York Times

Her musical or personal style are devoid of pandering.

The New York Times

Hence, our SNP genotyping results are devoid of temporal information.

Nature

Those fiascos are devoid of artistic choice, surely.

The New York Times

They are devoid of equanimity and reek of vengeance.

The New York Times

Interestingly, the 'oxazolo-tacrine' derivatives are devoid of any activity.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry

These studies are devoid of the applicability of being helpful by being genuine, warm, and supporting.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are devoid of" to convey a complete absence, emphasizing that something is entirely lacking. It adds a degree of formality to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "are devoid of" when a weaker term like "lack" or "do not have" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily stiff or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are devoid of" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It's used to characterize something by stating what it lacks or is entirely without, similar to examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are devoid of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to express the complete absence of something. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing numerous examples across various domains. While versatile, it carries a degree of formality, making it suitable for news, scientific writing, and academic contexts. Alternatives like "lack" or "are without" offer simpler ways to convey a similar meaning, and should be considered in order to avoid overuse of the original phrase. It's important to understand the contexts in which "are devoid of" is most appropriate to use it effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack

This is a shorter, more direct way of saying something is missing.

are without

A more literal and slightly more formal synonym.

do not have

A straightforward alternative emphasizing possession.

are absent of

Emphasizes the absence of something.

are empty of

Suggests a complete lack of content or substance.

contain no

Focuses on the composition or contents of something.

are free from

Implies that something is not just lacking, but also not burdened by something unwanted.

are wanting in

Highlights a deficiency in a specific quality or characteristic.

are deficient in

Similar to 'wanting in', but often used in more technical or scientific contexts.

bear no

A more literary or formal way to indicate a lack of something.

FAQs

How to use "are devoid of" in a sentence?

Use "are devoid of" to indicate a complete absence of something. For example, "The shelves "are devoid of" any books" means there are no books on the shelves.

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

You can use alternatives like "lack", "are without", or "do not have" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are devoid of" or "are void of"?

"Are devoid of" is the more common and grammatically sound phrase. "Are void of" is less frequent but conveys a similar meaning, although it might sound slightly less formal or precise.

What's the difference between "are devoid of" and "lack"?

"Are devoid of" emphasizes a complete absence, whereas "lack" simply indicates that something is missing or insufficient. "The room "is devoid of" furniture" suggests it's completely empty, while "The room lacks furniture" implies there's some furniture, but not enough.