as empty as the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as empty as the" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the emptiness of something to another object or concept that is also considered empty. Example: "After the party, the room was as empty as the abandoned warehouse down the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

It's as empty as the middle of the night".

The New York Times

Freedom has become as empty as the concept of sacrifice in our current political rhetoric.

The Washington Post

In one the street stood as empty as the Sahara; caption: "Aberdeen on a flag day".

The Guardian - Opinion

Thus our brains become as empty as the underpants of a eunuch".

The New Yorker

"Whirler," he says, as if it don't mean nothing, his head as empty as the sky.

The Guardian - Books

As empty as the terrain seemed, its history is one of heavy travel.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

And how I loathe the rhetorical guff, as empty as that "ultra-prime" floorspace at the top of the building itself.

The Guardian

From the Citroën DS to women's magazines, from red wine to children's toys, Barthes peeled back, layer by layer, the meanings of objects that seemed as empty as, well, the Eiffel Tower.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, years of bargains have left readers unwilling to pay more and the promises just as empty as they were the last time around.

The New York Times

But their talk seems as empty as it was the last time.

The New York Times

It is no coincidence that Hollywood and its tributaries have rarely seemed as empty as they do now, the films rarely as hollow as the ones that have been on display recently.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as empty as the" to create vivid comparisons, helping readers grasp the extent of emptiness by relating it to something familiar like "as empty as the Sahara" or "as empty as the promises on a snack bar".

Common error

While effective in creative and informal contexts, avoid using "as empty as the" excessively in formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise and direct language to describe a lack or absence, for instance, "devoid of" or "lacking."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as empty as the" functions as a comparative simile, used to emphasize the degree to which something lacks content or substance by drawing a parallel with something known for its emptiness. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows numerous examples of its use in descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as empty as the" serves as a simile to vividly describe the degree of emptiness by comparing it to something familiar and notably empty. The phrase, deemed grammatically correct by Ludwig, enjoys frequent usage across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media. While versatile, it’s advisable to use it sparingly in highly formal or technical contexts, opting for more direct and precise alternatives. This construction allows for vivid comparisons, enhancing descriptive writing and offering readers a relatable measure of emptiness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as devoid as the

Replaces "empty" with "devoid", emphasizing a complete absence of something.

as vacant as the

Uses "vacant" instead of "empty", suggesting a lack of content or occupation.

as bare as the

Employs "bare" to convey a sense of simple emptiness, lacking adornment.

as hollow as the

Substitutes "empty" with "hollow", implying a lack of substance or depth.

as lacking as the

Focuses on the absence of a necessary component.

as barren as the

Uses "barren" to suggest an inability to produce or yield anything.

as deficient as the

Highlights a shortage or incompleteness.

as desolate as the

Replaces empty with desolate, used for forlorn or deserted situations.

as blank as the

Substitute empty with blank, refers to something without any marking or content.

as vapid as the

Uses vapid instead of empty, suggesting a lack of intellectual or emotional depth.

FAQs

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

Use "as empty as the" to compare the emptiness of something to a well-known example. For instance, "The stadium was "as empty as the" Sahara desert", implying a complete lack of people.

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

Depending on the specific context, you can use alternatives like "as devoid as the", "as vacant as the", or "as hollow as the" to convey similar meanings.

Is it grammatically correct to say "as empty as the"?

Yes, "as empty as the" is grammatically correct. The Ludwig AI confirms that this construction follows standard English grammar rules and is commonly used.

What's the difference between "as empty as the" and "completely empty"?

"As empty as the" is a simile, using a comparison to emphasize the degree of emptiness. "Completely empty" is a direct statement of emptiness without comparison; therefore the first one uses a figurative language.