complete and devoid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complete and devoid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is entirely lacking or empty of a particular quality or element. Example: "The report was complete and devoid of any useful information, leaving the team frustrated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

All of this is done with complete humility and devoid of any self-consciousness.

Huffington Post

These data were also supported by phase contrast microscopy analysis of hCMEC/D3 cell cultures (see Figure  1B) showing complete and fully confluent cell monolayers devoid of morphological alterations and/or empty spots indicative of cell injury and death.

Fluids and Barriers of the CNS

However, as collagen fibrils grow progressively denser in wild-type cartilage (Fig. 2M P), ECM matrix in feelgood becomes gradually more sparse and devoid of collagen bundles with an almost complete absence of organized fibrils by 6 dpf (Fig. 2Q T).

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

The subsequent visual inspection indicates that the individual histone proteins, H2A, H2B, H3, and H4, possess very unusual shapes and are almost complete devoid of the globular structure.

Chemical Reviews

Behavioral experiments confirm that, at least in some cases, rats are able to return to their starting position, even if they were exploring the environment in complete darkness, devoid of smell (in a water platform or a water maze), and without whiskers to orient towards walls, simply by using their motor signals and vestibular system (Cheung et al. 2012).

Biology and Philosophy

They're devoid of prey, and devoid of tigers for that reason.

Yale University

Tarsus and toes are dull yellow and devoid of feathers.

Cornell University

The data interface resembles Windows, workmanlike and devoid of frills.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It is skillful, earnest and devoid of meaning.

The New York Times

Is your dough dry and devoid of flavor?

The Washington Post

That singing is refreshingly unvarnished and devoid of circus tricks.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "complete and devoid" to emphasize a total absence of something, creating a strong and clear statement. For example, "The argument was complete and devoid of any factual evidence."

Common error

Avoid using "complete and devoid" in overly complex sentences, which can make the writing cumbersome. Simpler phrasing often enhances clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complete and devoid" functions as a descriptive conjunction, emphasizing the total absence of a specific quality or element. Ludwig provides examples where it is used to highlight a lack of something significant, such as factual evidence or creativity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "complete and devoid" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to emphasize the total absence of something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a descriptive conjunction and is used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. Its purpose is to convey a strong sense of negation or deficiency. While generally neutral to formal in register, it's advisable to avoid overuse in overly complex sentences. Alternatives like "entirely lacking" or "utterly devoid" can provide nuanced variations. By understanding its usage and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively employ "complete and devoid" to strengthen their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely lacking

Focuses on the absence of something, emphasizing the lack thereof.

wholly without

Emphasizes the total absence of something, highlighting the completeness of the lack.

utterly devoid

Intensifies the sense of absence, stressing that something is completely missing.

completely lacking in

Highlights the completeness of the absence within a specific context.

entirely absent of

Stresses that something is not present at all.

totally without

Similar to "wholly without", emphasizing the total absence.

fully empty of

Conveys the sense of being empty or lacking something entirely.

absolutely devoid of

Highlights the absolute nature of the absence.

quite without

Expresses that something is not present or included.

perfectly absent

Focuses on the perfect or complete absence of something.

FAQs

How can I use "complete and devoid" in a sentence?

Use "complete and devoid" to emphasize the total absence of something. For example: "The project was "complete and devoid" of any creativity."

What are some alternatives to "complete and devoid"?

Alternatives include "entirely lacking", "wholly without", or "utterly devoid" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "complete and devoid"?

Yes, the phrase "complete and devoid" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a total absence of something.

What is the difference between "completely devoid of" and "partially devoid of"?

"Completely devoid of" signifies a total absence, whereas "partially devoid of" indicates that something is present but lacking in some aspect. Using "completely devoid of" emphasizes the thoroughness of the absence.