become vacant

USAGE SUMMARY

"become vacant" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a position, seat, or space that is no longer occupied. An example is: "The position will become vacant at the end of the month." Alternative expressions include "become available" and "become unoccupied."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If Matsumoto loses, or draws, the title will become vacant.

The New York Times - Sports

It is still uncertain whether the space will become vacant.

The New York Times

Councils need these houses for large families and they rarely become vacant.

Independent

And they would have got them if Romney had won and seats had become vacant.

The New Yorker

Left unresolved is the question of whether to fill slots that become vacant.

The New York Times

When these units become vacant, they are stablized at rents comparable to similar stabilized apartments.

The New York Times

Assuming a 5percentturnovereratete, apartments will become vacant on average once every two years.

The New York Times

No women have been selected in the 22 Tory-held seats which have become vacant.

The Guardian

The space can become vacant in July 2012, or the buyer may continue to keep the tenant in place.

The New York Times

If all director positions become vacant simultaneously, the supervisory committee immediately assumes the role of the board of directors.

Cornell University

Should Johnson's seat become vacant, South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds, a Republican, could replace him with a Republican.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In administrative or legal writing, favor this phrase over informal alternatives like "be free" or "be open" to ensure clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "become vacant" to describe a person who has lost focus or seems distracted. Use "look vacant" or "blank expression" instead. "Become vacant" is strictly for positions, offices or physical spaces.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become vacant" acts as an inchoative verb phrase, combining the linking verb "become" with the adjective "vacant". According to Ludwig, it functions to describe a transition into a state of emptiness or availability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become vacant" is a robust and highly reliable expression for describing transitions in occupancy. Data from Ludwig AI indicates that it is particularly prevalent in high-quality journalism and legal contexts, making it the gold standard for professional communication regarding job openings or real estate. Whether used in the passive sense or as a future state, it conveys a high level of formality and precision. Writers should feel confident using it to maintain an authoritative tone across news, business and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall vacant

Often used in a more formal or British context particularly regarding official roles or political seats

become available

Broader and slightly less formal; applies to items, services or opportunities as well as spaces

come open

A more idiomatic and occasionally informal way to describe a position that is no longer filled

go unfilled

Emphasizes the lack of a person to occupy the role rather than the act of leaving it

be vacated

Uses the passive voice to focus on the action of the previous occupant leaving

lapse into vacancy

A highly formal and technical legal term usually describing property that has remained empty

free up

An informal and active way to say a space or time slot has become usable for others

remain unoccupied

Focuses on the state of being empty over a period of time rather than the moment of change

become empty

A literal and physical description suitable for containers or rooms but less so for job titles

turn over

Real estate jargon specifically referring to the cycle of one tenant leaving and the space becoming ready for another

FAQs

How do I use "become vacant" in a professional sentence?

You can use it to describe a transition in personnel, such as: "The director's chair will "become vacant" next quarter." Many examples from Ludwig show it is the preferred term for official transitions.

What is the difference between "become vacant" and "become available"?

While both imply readiness for use, "become vacant" specifically refers to something that was previously occupied, whereas "become available" can refer to new items or services that never had a previous occupant.

Is "fall vacant" the same as "become vacant"?

Yes, "fall vacant" is a synonymous but slightly more formal or traditional expression often found in British English and legislative texts.

Can I use "become vacant" for a physical building?

Absolutely. You can say: "The apartment will "become vacant" at the end of the month." This usage is very common in real estate contexts as shown in the Ludwig AI data.