came empty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "came empty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone arrives without bringing anything, often in a metaphorical sense, such as lacking information or resources. Example: "When he arrived at the meeting, he came empty, having forgotten to bring the necessary documents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"A shop came empty in Wigan and I thought, 'Mmm, that would make a fabulous supermarket'.

BBC

Burns came empty handed and Assad told him he had nothing to give.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

David came empty-handed.

Princeton University

At the reception kiosk, the system notices you came empty-handed and that you are out of breath.

Harvard Business Review

For "hardworking people" not aspiring but drowning in debt, rent and childcare bills, Cameron came empty-handed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ms. Castillo looked askance at it, seeing how the cabin was filled with aid workers who came empty-handed to this town.

The New York Times

But even visitors who came empty-handed had plenty to enjoy as the Roadshow's ten tables were covered with a wide assortment of live, fossilized, and preserved animals and plants.

University of California, Berkeley

"Come empty, you leave empty," Friedman said to me one evening.

The New Yorker

And no one comes empty-handed.

The New York Times

The Americans had come empty-handed.

The Guardian - Sport

The EU does not come empty-handed to the table.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "came empty" metaphorically, ensure the context is clear. For instance, specify what is lacking: "He came empty of ideas" is clearer than simply "He came empty".

Common error

Avoid using "came empty" in situations where a literal lack of physical objects is implied but not explicitly stated. It can sound awkward if the listener or reader expects something tangible. Instead, use a more direct phrase like "came with nothing" if the emptiness is literal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came empty" functions as a verb phrase, often used metaphorically to describe a state of lacking something, such as resources, ideas, or results. Ludwig AI shows examples where it describes arriving without anything tangible or intangible.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "came empty" functions as a verb phrase that generally describes a lack of substance or content, often metaphorically. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct, though less common than alternatives like ""came empty-handed"" or "came up empty". Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for news and media contexts. While not frequent, it's a valid expression to convey a sense of deficiency when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrived empty-handed

Replaces "came" with "arrived" and adds "handed" to emphasize the physical aspect of bringing nothing.

returned empty-handed

Emphasizes the act of returning without having obtained anything.

showed up empty

More informal substitution for "came", implying a lack of preparation or contribution.

came with nothing

A simple and direct alternative emphasizing the absence of possessions or offerings.

came without resources

Focuses on the lack of available resources or means.

came unprepared

Highlights the lack of readiness or forethought.

came without results

Emphasizes the absence of any positive outcome or achievement.

came to nothing

Shifts the focus to the futility or failure of an endeavor.

failed to bring anything

Explicitly states the failure to provide or contribute.

produced no results

Highlights the absence of any output or tangible outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "came empty" in a sentence?

You can use "came empty" to describe someone arriving without something, either literally or metaphorically. For example, "The negotiator "came empty-handed" to the discussion", or "The well "came up dry"".

What can I say instead of "came empty"?

Alternatives include phrases like "arrived empty-handed", "came with nothing", or "returned empty-handed", depending on the context.

Is "came empty-handed" or "came empty" more common?

"Came empty-handed" is more common and widely understood, especially when referring to a literal lack of physical items. "Came empty" is often used metaphorically.

What's the difference between "came up empty" and "came empty"?

"Came up empty" typically means a search or attempt failed to produce results. "Came empty" generally describes arriving without bringing anything or lacking something specific.