be bereft of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be bereft of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a state of being without something, often conveying a sense of loss or emptiness. Example: "After the sudden departure of her best friend, she felt utterly bereft of joy and companionship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

We Muggles may be bereft of magical gifts, but we need not be chained to cynicism.

The New York Times - Arts

To be bereft of reason, like a baby or a squirrel, is to be morally innocent.

The Guardian - Opinion

And that they can be bereft of ideas or the faintest notion of a gameplan or philosophy.

Independent

Cardiology seemed to be bereft of genuine intellectual arguments - Tony Clare showed this was not true of psychiatry".

The Guardian

On Tuesday, Art Rooney congratulated his father and assured the faithful that the Steelers would not be bereft of leadership.

The New York Times - Sports

To us, an Israel that did not include the City of David and the site of the Holy Temple would be bereft of its heart.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

But that, too, is bereft of booty.

The New York Times

Both are bereft of opposition voices.

The Economist

Otherwise, the kitchen was bereft of conversation.

The New York Times - Magazine

Saddam Hussein is bereft of allies.

The New York Times

New Zealand were bereft of ideas.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotation of "be bereft of". It often implies a negative consequence or a significant disadvantage due to the absence of something.

Common error

Avoid using "be bereft of" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "lack" or "be without" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be bereft of" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of lacking something. As noted by Ludwig, it expresses a state of being without something. Examples on Ludwig demonstrate its usage in various contexts, emphasizing a sense of deficiency or loss.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be bereft of" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe a state of lacking something. According to Ludwig, it's typically used to express a state of being without something, often conveying a sense of loss or emptiness. While it appears frequently in formal and neutral contexts such as news and academic writing, it may be less appropriate for casual conversation. Alternatives like "lack" or "be without" can provide simpler options in informal settings. The frequency of "be bereft of" positions it as a useful phrase to understand, and use, in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack

This is a more direct and simple way of expressing the absence of something.

be without

This phrase is a straightforward synonym, emphasizing the absence of something.

be devoid of

This alternative suggests a complete absence, often with a negative connotation.

be wanting in

This phrase implies that something is missing and needed.

be deficient in

This suggests a measurable or noticeable lack of something.

be missing

This alternative simply states that something is not present.

be denuded of

This phrase conveys a sense of having something forcibly removed or stripped away.

be deprived of

This suggests that someone or something has been denied access to something.

be short on

This phrase implies a limited supply or amount of something.

be barren of

This alternative suggests a complete lack, often in a figurative or metaphorical sense.

FAQs

How can I use "be bereft of" in a sentence?

The phrase "be bereft of" is used to describe a state of lacking something. For example, "After the storm, the landscape was "denuded of" trees" or "The team was "lacking in" confidence after the defeat".

What are some alternatives to "be bereft of"?

Synonyms for "be bereft of" include "lack", "be without", "be devoid of", or "be wanting in". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "be bereft of" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "be bereft of" is relatively formal. In everyday conversation, simpler phrases like "missing" or "without" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "be bereft of" and "be deprived of"?

"Be bereft of" generally indicates a state of lacking something, while "be deprived of" suggests that something has been taken away or withheld. "Be bereft of" emphasizes the absence itself, whereas "be deprived of" focuses on the act of deprivation.