completely vacant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely vacant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a space, position, or situation that is entirely empty or unoccupied. Example: "The office was completely vacant after the employees were laid off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Apartment buildings are almost completely vacant.

The New York Times

"The building will become completely vacant," Mr. Beckerman said.

The New York Times

Inside the ballpark, there were completely vacant sections in the upper level.

The New York Times

Physics Teacher: But her eyes are completely vacant — like all her mental energy is going into nodding at regular intervals.

The New Yorker

"What about you then, Karl Ove?" he said, gazing at me through his glazed, almost completely vacant eyes.

The New Yorker

The 185,000-square-foot red brick structure will soon be completely vacant when NBC Sports relocates to new headquarters nearby.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Players try to conquer territory by completely enclosing vacant points with boundaries made of their own stones.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Like: it's completely fucking vacant, and you'll want to replace the curtains and carpets and tear that 70s-style brick fireplace out, and the bathroom is quite small, and there is absolutely zero elevation in the place – there are no stairs – but it's fine, isn't it.

Vice

The rare breakfast out becomes a habit at Café Brown, the "local" gringo breakfast spot, aptly housed in a large modern concrete structure that is otherwise completely and depressingly vacant.

The New York Times - Travel

Many venues built for the Olympics have either been left vacant or completely demolished.

The Economist

Further, the influx of Amazon employees won't completely fill the offices left vacant since 2005, when the Pentagon began relocating many of its workers.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely vacant" to describe spaces, buildings, or even abstract concepts that lack any contents or occupants. It's a strong and clear way to emphasize emptiness.

Common error

While "completely vacant" is generally acceptable, in very informal conversation, simpler alternatives like "totally empty" might sound more natural. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely vacant" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate its state of emptiness. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "completely vacant" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase that provides a strong and clear description of emptiness or lack of occupancy. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this expression is accepted and valid in the English language. While "vacant" alone implies emptiness, adding "completely" emphasizes the thoroughness of the vacancy. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to professional register. When writing, consider whether the emphasis is necessary and appropriate for your audience and the overall tone. If a simpler expression is needed, alternatives like "totally empty" or "entirely unoccupied" can be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Completely empty

A more straightforward synonym, using "empty" instead of "vacant".

Totally empty

Replaces "completely" with "totally", emphasizing the extent of emptiness.

Wholly vacant

Similar to "completely vacant" but uses "wholly" for emphasis.

Entirely unoccupied

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey the absence of occupants.

Uninhabited entirely

Inverts the structure and uses "uninhabited" for a different emphasis.

Fully deserted

Suggests abandonment in addition to emptiness.

Utterly devoid

Highlights the complete absence of something.

Absolutely void

Emphasizes a lack of any content or substance.

Bare and empty

Adds a descriptive element to emphasize the starkness of the emptiness.

Totally clear

Focuses on the absence of any obstruction or content.

FAQs

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

You can use "completely vacant" to describe a physical space, such as "The building was "completely vacant" after the company relocated", or an abstract concept, like "Her mind seemed "completely vacant" during the lecture".

What are some alternatives to "completely vacant"?

Alternatives include "totally empty", "entirely unoccupied", or "fully deserted", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "completely vacant"? Does "vacant" already imply completeness?

While "vacant" often implies emptiness, adding "completely" emphasizes the thoroughness of the emptiness. It's not strictly redundant, but it's important to consider whether the emphasis is necessary for clarity or impact.

What is the difference between "completely vacant" and "partially vacant"?

"Completely vacant" means that a space is entirely empty, while "partially vacant" indicates that only some parts are empty, with others still occupied or in use. For example: "With a team of students, he conducted a detailed survey to identify which buildings were partially or "completely vacant" and which could be reused".