as devoid as the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as devoid as the" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the emptiness or lack of something in one subject to another, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "Her expression was as devoid as the barren landscape, reflecting her inner turmoil."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inspired also by the pursuit of pure movement as devoid as possible of emotional implications, Cunningham developed "choreography by chance," a technique in which selected isolated movements are assigned sequence by such random methods as tossing a coin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"He was as devoid of the talent for self-promotion as Alex was gifted at it". An unassuming graduate of Andover and Princeton, he encouraged his wife to write and sent her first story to his friend William Maxwell at The New Yorker, who published it in the mid-60's.

The New York Times

Everything in the first chapter, for instance, initially comes across as so banal — the rooms are as devoid of personality as the characters — that it takes a while for the chill to set in.

The New York Times

Tories are concerned that a public backlash could wreck any prospect of a coherent plan for leaving the EU (a plan that remains as devoid of structure as the blank canvases offered up as art in the 1960s by the American Robert Rauschenberg).

The Guardian

As devoid of detail as the account of his father's orphaning, the story of my father's enlistment suggests he had a survival instinct which defied all attempts to be snuffed out.

Huffington Post

West is north Cumbria - officially an area of outstanding natural beauty as devoid of humanity as the Lake District is nigh-on ruined by it.

The Guardian - Travel

Walsh is pictured letting himself into a spacious abode every bit as devoid of comfort as the properties routinely wheeled out during judges' so-called houses.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Perhaps, though, this excess is Carson's point, something to do with how he wants to define Pam's American Century: a fictional world as full of trivia and distraction, as devoid of answers, as the world we inhabit.

The New York Times - Books

I had never seen a seafloor as devoid of macrofauna as the Challenger Deep.

BBC

Acted without affect in settings that are as devoid of humanity as the space station in '2001,' this game plays out with cold precision but little team spirit".

Los Angeles Times

For Philip IV this involvement turned out to be even more disastrous than it had for Charles V. Spanish leadership, as practiced by the self-willed Castilian grandees abroad, had proved to be energetic and clever, but it was ultimately as devoid of true statesmanship as the slackness of the king and his privado.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as devoid as the" to create a vivid comparison, highlighting the complete absence of a particular quality or attribute in two different subjects.

Common error

Avoid using "as devoid as the" when you only intend to describe a single subject's lack of something. The phrase is meant to draw a direct comparison between two subjects, both lacking the same attribute.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "as devoid as the" is to act as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by comparing its lack of a certain quality to the lack of that same quality in another noun.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as devoid as the" is a grammatically correct comparative phrase used to emphasize a notable absence or lack of a specific quality by drawing a comparison. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, the frequency of its use is relatively common in news, media, and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, ensure you are comparing two distinct subjects, both lacking a specific attribute. Alternatives like ""as lacking as the"" or ""as empty as the"" can be used to convey a similar meaning. The phrase's effectiveness lies in its ability to create a vivid comparison that highlights the complete absence of a particular quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as devoid of as the

Adds "of" after "devoid", altering the grammatical structure slightly.

just as devoid as the

Adds "just" for emphasis on the comparison.

as lacking as the

Replaces "devoid" with "lacking", focusing on the absence of something.

equally devoid as the

Replaces "as" with "equally" to highlight the equivalent lack.

as empty as the

Substitutes "devoid" with "empty", emphasizing a complete absence of content.

as deficient as the

Substitutes "devoid" with "deficient", indicating an inadequacy.

as barren as the

Replaces "devoid" with "barren", suggesting a lack of productivity or life.

as without as the

Replaces "devoid" with "without", focusing on the absence of possession.

as devoid as

Removes "the", making the comparison less specific.

as absent of as the

Swaps "devoid" for "absent of", changing the phrase's composition while keeping its basic meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "as devoid as the" in a sentence?

Use "as devoid as the" to compare the emptiness or lack of something in one subject to another. For example, "The plan was "as devoid as the of detail", making it impractical."

What are some alternatives to "as devoid as the"?

Alternatives include "as lacking as the", "as empty as the", or "equally devoid as the", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "as devoid as" without "the"?

While grammatically acceptable, omitting "the" after "as devoid as" makes the comparison less specific and potentially weaker. It is better to say "as devoid as the".

What's the difference between "as devoid as the" and "devoid of"?

"As devoid as the" is a comparative phrase used to draw a parallel between two things lacking a particular quality. "Devoid of" simply describes something that lacks a quality, without making a direct comparison.