desolate ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desolate ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a barren, empty, or lifeless area, often in a poetic or dramatic context. Example: "The once vibrant field now lay as desolate ground, devoid of life and color."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Times recorded, "The houses faced a bit of desolate ground occupied by dilapidated cowsheds and manure heaps.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

THisUpside Down BuilatestIn London Is Like A More Subtle Frank Gehry Design.

Vice

PRISTINA, 29 June 2009 In a desolate corner on the outskirts of Pristina, Kosovo, two men sit on the bare ground, mending a bicycle that is a lifeline for their families.

Unicef

By Peter George PRISTINA, 29 June 2009 – In a desolate corner on the outskirts of Pristina, Kosovo, two men sit on the bare ground, mending a bicycle that is a lifeline for their families.

Unicef

Every year the television cameras turn up at some desolate training ground to interview a lone groundsman who also doubles up as the team physio and kitman.

The Guardian - Sport

That character, who's never named, follows Ann through the desolate industrial grounds after she works late one night.

The New Yorker

In the Roaring '20s, when Nick Carraway came to life in the pages of "The Great Gatsby," a train ride from West Egg to Manhattan took him past a desolate stretch of ground in Queens.

The New York Times

Released in 1994 when the sinewy, party-vibe G-Funk of Dre, Snoop and their cronies was at its peak, Illmatic exposed the listener to Nas's desolate Queensbridge stomping ground.

The Guardian - Music

Most of the story unfolds within or just outside one house, with a stable, stuck in one desolate basin of dry ground; and most of the scenes feature nothing more than a father and daughter.

The New Yorker

On a freezing November day in 2010, the education secretary, Michael Gove, turned out in east London to inspect a desolate stretch of dockside ground near City airport, where Rupert Murdoch had offered to build an academy school.

The Guardian

The desolate landscape of Afghanistan was the burial ground of Soviet communism and the springboard of a unipolar world dominated by America.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "desolate ground", consider the emotional impact you want to create. The phrase evokes a sense of emptiness and abandonment, so ensure it aligns with your intended tone.

Common error

Avoid using "desolate ground" in contexts where the imagery is already clearly negative. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound melodramatic or repetitive. Opt for simpler descriptions if the desolation is already implied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desolate ground" functions primarily as a descriptive element, adding detail about a location or setting. It emphasizes the barren and often depressing nature of the landscape, creating a specific mood or atmosphere. Ludwig examples show its use in both literal and figurative contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "desolate ground" effectively conveys a sense of emptiness and abandonment in a landscape. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and primarily functions as a descriptive element, often employed in News & Media and Wiki contexts. While semantically related to phrases like "barren landscape" and "bleak terrain", "desolate ground" carries a unique emotional weight. When using this phrase, consider the tone you wish to create and avoid overuse in already negative scenarios. It is important to note the relative frequency of occurrence among various sources to ensure proper contexts are used, and these considerations are all confirmed within Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desolate landscape

Replicates the structure of the original query but uses a broader term for "ground".

barren landscape

Focuses on the lack of vegetation and productivity in the area.

bleak terrain

Emphasizes the harsh and unwelcoming nature of the land.

barren earth

Highlights the unproductive quality of the soil.

empty wasteland

Conveys a sense of emptiness and abandonment.

unfruitful land

Stresses the inability of the land to produce crops or support life.

arid terrain

Specifically indicates a dry and parched environment.

forlorn landscape

Adds an emotional dimension of sadness and neglect.

abandoned territory

Emphasizes the absence of human presence and care.

wasted land

Suggests that the land has been depleted or ruined.

FAQs

How can I use "desolate ground" in a sentence?

You can use "desolate ground" to describe a landscape that is barren, empty, and often depressing. For example, "The abandoned factory stood on "desolate ground", a testament to forgotten industry."

What words are similar to "desolate ground"?

Similar phrases include "barren landscape", "bleak terrain", and "wasteland". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "desolate ground"?

While "desolate" often implies ground, the phrase "desolate ground" is acceptable if you want to emphasize the ground itself as being desolate, rather than something else in the scene. Otherwise you can use "desolate landscape".

What is the difference between "desolate ground" and "barren ground"?

"Desolate ground" suggests emptiness and sadness, while "barren ground" focuses more on the lack of vegetation and productivity. "Barren ground" might describe a desert, whereas "desolate ground" might describe an abandoned field.