deserted

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "deserted" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective, typically used to refer to a place that is empty or abandoned. Example sentence: The once bustling city street was now a deserted wasteland.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Gangways and food outlets that had been rammed all week were suddenly deserted as all of those not on a show court crowded in front of the giant screen on Murray Mound or onto the 4,000 seats on the new No 2 court, where the match was also being screened.

The Guardian - Sport

italrest.com, from $40 a night This is pretty much the definition of off-the-beaten-track perfection, at the end of a pot-holed lane that peters away into a dirt track overlooking a deserted cove.

The Guardian - Travel

This result gives Turkey's Kurds and the other voters who deserted the AKP and flocked to the HDP banner an unprecedented national platform from which to counter the neo-Islamist AKP's assault on Turkey's secular tradition, which has gathered pace in recent years.

The Guardian

During the debate several of Trimble's key allies deserted him, including Bertie Kerr, the Fermanagh delegate.

The Guardian

A Sunni village near the frontline was deserted, doors and windows smashed and many houses burned, the walls scribbled with pro-army slogans.

The Guardian

You can ride through the rice fields which sit behind the dunes and then on to these Atlantic beaches which are completely deserted.

The Guardian - Travel

The Captain Elias Hotel is just a shell, deserted during the economic slump.

The Guardian

For 210,000 forints - around 700 euros - a day, interested parties can rent out all facilities in the pretty but largely deserted village of Megyer, which has a population of 18 and is located 180 kms (110 miles) southwest of Budapest.

The Guardian

For months the windswept square has been virtually deserted and outlets such as the Quality Chop House and Pret a Manger have never been quieter.

The Guardian - Opinion

For a few seconds I put the two phones together to let the spinmeisters hear each other – but then my courage deserted me and we all went back to polite BBC mode.

The Guardian - Opinion

Eventually Broad deserted this tactic; the leg-side fielders were brought in and he set a field that allowed him to bowl more conventionally.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "deserted" to describe not only physical spaces but also abstract concepts, like a "deserted" tradition, to emphasize its abandonment.

Common error

Avoid mistaking "deserted" (abandoned) with "desert" (a dry, barren area). "Deserted" describes a state of being, while "desert" refers to a geographical feature.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "deserted" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe a state of abandonment or emptiness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage as an adjective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Travel

25%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deserted" functions primarily as an adjective, used to describe something that has been abandoned or emptied of its inhabitants. As Ludwig AI underlines, its usage is grammatically correct and it is indeed widely accepted. The term is frequently found in news, travel, and sports contexts, indicating its versatility across various registers. When writing, be sure to use "deserted" to add emotional depth and visual imagery to your descriptions. Avoid confusing it with the noun "desert". Alternatives such as "abandoned" or "desolate" can be used to add subtle differences in meaning. Ludwig's examples provide useful insight into how to effectively integrate "deserted" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Abandoned

Direct synonym, indicating a place or thing left empty or forsaken.

Empty

Focuses on the lack of contents or occupants.

Uninhabited

Emphasizes the absence of residents or dwellers.

Desolate

Highlights the bleak and barren nature of a place.

Forlorn

Suggests a sense of sadness and abandonment.

Vacant

Describes a space that is currently unoccupied.

Unoccupied

Similar to vacant, but can also imply a temporary absence.

Bare

Implies a lack of covering or contents, highlighting starkness.

Depopulated

Indicates a significant reduction in the number of inhabitants.

Godforsaken

Emphasizes a feeling of utter abandonment and neglect.

FAQs

How can "deserted" be used in a sentence?

Use "deserted" to describe places or things that are abandoned or empty. For example: "The "deserted house" stood silently on the hill."

What are some synonyms for "deserted"?

Alternatives include "abandoned", "empty", or "desolate", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "deserted" and "isolated"?

"Deserted" implies abandonment and emptiness, while "isolated" suggests being separated or remote from others. A place can be isolated without being deserted, and vice versa.

Can "deserted" be used to describe people?

While "deserted" primarily describes places, it can metaphorically describe a person feeling abandoned or forsaken, though it's less common. It's more typical to say someone feels "abandoned" or "forsaken".