but was empty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but was empty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something was expected to contain something but did not, often following a statement about what was anticipated. Example: "The box was supposed to be filled with toys, but was empty when I opened it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The New Yorker, March 16 , 1935P. 19 A Greenwich lady came home late one night with her husband and found a note from her colored laundress-by-the-day on the kitchen table, beside a bottle that had contained a fine old port but was empty.

The New Yorker

By F. F. Peters, E. H. Hart, A. J. Liebling, Clifford Orr, and Harold Ross The New Yorker, March 16 , 1935P. 19 A Greenwich lady came home late one night with her husband and found a note from her colored laundress-by-the-day on the kitchen table, beside a bottle that had contained a fine old port but was empty.

The New Yorker

The building affected was a base for officers guarding the joint chiefs of staff offices nearby but was empty at the time, officials said.

BBC

The rocket strikes damaged buildings, properties and a kibbutz petting zoo that is usually filled with children, but was empty because of the early morning hour.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But I was empty, emotionally.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But it was empty promises.

The Guardian - Sport

The crib was there, but it was empty.

The Guardian - Books

But it was empty!

Los Angeles Times

But one space was empty.

The New York Times - Sports

But the house was empty.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the road was empty.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine the phrase with descriptive language to enhance its impact. For example, "The treasure chest was old and ornate, but was empty, save for a few grains of sand."

Common error

Avoid using "but was empty" when describing something that inherently lacks the capacity to be filled. For example, it's more appropriate to say "The idea was flawed", rather than "The idea was supposed to be good, but was empty".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but was empty" functions as a contrastive conjunction phrase. It typically follows a statement that sets up an expectation, and then introduces a contradictory state of emptiness. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a correct phrase. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing physical spaces, containers, and even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but was empty" serves as a contrastive conjunction phrase, often used to highlight a discrepancy between expectation and reality. It is deemed grammatically correct by Ludwig AI and appears frequently in News & Media. To use it effectively, ensure it appropriately conveys a sense of disappointment or irony and avoid using it to describe something that inherently cannot be filled. Consider alternatives like "however it was devoid" or "yet it contained nothing" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, it was devoid

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

yet, it contained nothing

Focuses on the lack of contents despite expectation.

though, it had nothing inside

Similar to the original phrase, but using "had nothing inside" instead of "was empty".

nonetheless, it lacked contents

Replaces "empty" with "lacked contents", indicating a deficiency.

still, there was nothing there

Emphasizes the absence of anything within the specified space.

but it held no contents

Focuses on the absence of content within something.

though vacant, it remained

Highlights the state of being unoccupied or empty.

yet, it was barren

Replaces "empty" with "barren", suggesting a lack of productivity or substance.

but it had been emptied

Highlights the action of becoming empty, possibly after previously being full.

however, it was unoccupied

Focuses on the absence of inhabitants or occupants.

FAQs

How can I use "but was empty" in a sentence?

You can use "but was empty" to contrast an expectation with the reality of something lacking content, like "The fridge was supposed to be full of food, but was empty".

What are some alternatives to "but was empty"?

Alternatives include "however it was devoid", "yet it contained nothing", or "though it had nothing inside", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "but was empty"?

Yes, "but was empty" is grammatically correct. The word "but" introduces a contrast to a previous statement, while "was empty" describes the state of being without contents.

What's the difference between "but was empty" and "but contained nothing"?

Both phrases convey a similar meaning, but "but was empty" generally refers to a physical space lacking contents, whereas "but contained nothing" can apply to both physical and abstract contexts. For example, "The room was beautiful, but was empty", or "His speech was eloquent, but contained nothing of substance".