becomes vacant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'becomes vacant' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express that something is now available, open, or unoccupied. For example, "When the position of CEO became vacant, many applicants applied for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

And what of Mr Erdogan's dream of becoming Turkey's first popularly elected president when the post becomes vacant in August?Opinions differ on the outcome of what Kadri Gursel, a pundit, calls the "ugly divorce".

The Economist

Studio space is like inventory; you have to market it every time it becomes vacant".

The New York Times

The first, he said, occurs when such an apartment becomes vacant.

The New York Times

This is the year the heretofore patient fans revolt, and the United Center becomes vacant.

The New York Times - Sports

And, of course, landlords are generally happy when a rent-regulated apartment becomes vacant.

The New York Times

Church law states that a conclave must start between 15 and 20 days after the papacy becomes vacant.

The New York Times

Neither would the Democrats, although the attorney general, Richard Blumenthal, said he would run if the seat becomes vacant.

The New York Times

"The information is controlled by property owners when the apartment becomes vacant and the brokers when they find out from the landlord".

The New York Times

But she added, "That doesn't mean that in the future, if we have a capacity need and the property becomes vacant, the project couldn't very well move ahead".

The New York Times

Phasing out the rentals will take time, since the association has to wait until a home becomes vacant or is sold.

The New York Times

The giveaway would be funded by forcing local authorities to sell off their most expensive housing when it becomes vacant, to raise £4.5bn a year.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing future scenarios, ensure the tense is consistent. For example, "the position will become vacant next year" is correct.

Common error

Avoid using "vacant" interchangeably with words like "empty" or "available" without considering the specific context. "Vacant" often implies a previous state of occupancy, while "empty" is a more general term. For instance, saying "the position is empty" might not convey the same meaning as "the position "becomes vacant"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becomes vacant" functions as a verb phrase indicating a change of state. It describes the transition from an occupied or filled state to an empty or available one. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "becomes vacant" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the transition of a position, office, or property into an unoccupied state. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. The phrase is suitable for formal and neutral contexts and should be used when you want to express that something is now available, open, or unoccupied. Related alternatives include "becomes available" and "becomes unoccupied". When writing, ensure the tense is consistent and avoid interchanging "vacant" with similar adjectives without considering the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becomes available

Emphasizes the aspect of something being accessible or ready for use.

becomes unoccupied

Focuses on the state of not being lived in or used.

becomes empty

Highlights the lack of contents or inhabitants.

falls vacant

Indicates a more sudden or unexpected transition to a vacant state.

is vacated

Highlights that the subject was emptied.

turns empty

Suggests a transformation into an empty state.

is rendered vacant

Suggests an action that causes something to become vacant.

is made available

Focuses on the action of making something accessible after a period of non-availability.

becomes deserted

Implies abandonment or a lack of people.

is relinquished

Focuses on the act of giving up or releasing control.

FAQs

What does "becomes vacant" mean?

The phrase "becomes vacant" means that something, typically a position, office, or property, is now unoccupied or available after previously being occupied or filled.

How can I use "becomes vacant" in a sentence?

You can use "becomes vacant" to describe a situation where something is now available. For example, "The apartment "becomes vacant" at the end of the month", or "The position "becomes vacant" upon the director's retirement".

What can I say instead of "becomes vacant"?

You can use alternatives like "becomes available", "becomes unoccupied", or "falls vacant" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "becomes vacant" in formal writing?

Yes, "becomes vacant" is suitable for formal writing. It is often used in news articles, legal documents, and business communications to describe a position or property that is now available.