as empty as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as empty as a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is completely devoid of content or substance, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "After the party, the room was as empty as a forgotten memory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"It was as empty as a sarcophagus".

The New York Times - Books

The tinderbox as empty as a train at 5 a.m.

The New Yorker

Today, John's Restaurant was as empty as a freeholders meeting.

The New York Times

"How did he threaten you?" My voice was as empty as a parrot's.

The New Yorker

By then the ship's decks are as empty as a drive-in theater after the final credits.

The New York Times

Christopher Gray is right in describing the Manhattan Bridge walkway [Streetscapes, Jan . 18] "often as empty as a Kansas prairie".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"There is nothing as empty as an empty hotel," he remarked.

The Guardian

But all I "see" is as white as a polar bear and as empty as an iceberg.

The New Yorker

On the other hand, I think that the real artistic middlebrow is ubiquitous and central and that contempt for it is tantamount to (and as empty as) an adolescent repugnance for the "bourgeois". Many of the greatest novels are middlebrow.

The New Yorker

On the other hand, I think that the real artistic middlebrow is ubiquitous and central — and that contempt for it is tantamount to (and as empty as) an adolescent repugnance for the "bourgeois".

The New Yorker

On the other hand, I think that the real artistic middlebrow is ubiquitous and central and that contempt for it is tantamount to (and as empty as) an adolescent repugnance for the "bourgeois".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the simile "as empty as a" to create a vivid and easily understood comparison. Choose objects or situations that your audience will readily recognize as representing emptiness for maximum impact. For example, "as empty as a politician's promise".

Common error

Avoid pairing "as empty as a" with overused comparisons like 'ghost town' in every context. Seek fresher, more original images to maintain reader engagement. Consider tailoring the comparison to the subject matter for better impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as empty as a" functions primarily as a simile, used to create a vivid comparison that emphasizes the degree of emptiness. Ludwig examples show it describing physical spaces, emotional states, and even abstract concepts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The simile "as empty as a" is a versatile phrase used to create vivid comparisons emphasizing a lack of content, substance, or activity. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and commonly found in news, media and academic contexts. To maximize its impact, pair it with familiar images of emptiness, while avoiding overused clichés. Remember, choosing an appropriate image for the context enhances the phrase's effectiveness. "As empty as a" serves to enhance descriptions by connecting the subject with a well-understood depiction of emptiness, providing a deeper understanding to the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as bare as a

Changes the emphasis from emptiness to lack of covering or content.

as vacant as a

Emphasizes a lack of occupation or activity, often used for places or minds.

as hollow as a

Suggests a lack of substance or sincerity, implying something is missing inside.

as devoid as a

Highlights the complete absence of something, often in a more formal context.

as barren as a

Implies a lack of productivity or life, often used for land or situations.

completely empty like a

Uses "completely empty" for directness, adding "like a" for comparison.

utterly vacant like a

Uses "utterly vacant" for emphasis, creating a stronger image of emptiness.

totally devoid like a

Emphasizes total lack, employing a more emphatic tone.

as desolate as a

Conveys a sense of loneliness and abandonment, often used for landscapes or feelings.

as blank as a

Suggests a lack of expression or information, applicable to faces, minds, or pages.

FAQs

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

Use "as empty as a" to vividly describe something lacking content, substance, or activity. For example, "The stadium was "as empty as a" forgotten promise after the rain delay".

What phrases are similar to "as empty as a"?

Similar phrases include "as bare as a", "as hollow as a", or "as vacant as a". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is more appropriate: "as empty as a" or "completely empty"?

"As empty as a" is a simile, offering a comparative image. "Completely empty" is a direct statement. The simile can be more evocative, but the direct statement is simpler. It depends on the desired tone and context.

What's the difference between "as empty as a" and "as desolate as a"?

"As empty as a" focuses on the lack of content, while "as desolate as a" emphasizes loneliness and abandonment. Desolate implies a sense of sadness or isolation in addition to emptiness.