desolate streets

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desolate streets" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe streets that are empty, abandoned, or lacking in life and activity, often evoking a sense of loneliness or desolation. Example: "As the sun set, the desolate streets echoed with the sound of the wind, creating an eerie atmosphere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Bombs often fall on empty farmland or desolate streets.

The New York Times

She had to walk from the main avenue down desolate streets where kidnappings can happen unnoticed.

The Guardian

With its desolate streets and boarded-up row houses, the city feels like a place whose will has slipped away.

The New York Times

I borrowed a huge F-150 pick-up truck and gas-guzzled around desolate streets and an empty downtown, as much embarrassed as afraid.

Independent

In 'Wharf Rat' " — a story told by a vagrant, which Anastasio likens to "a piece of film noir" — "we poked around the desolate streets of Skid Row.

The New Yorker

Struck by the area's desolate streets, lack of traffic and policing, he set up a race among friends to celebrate his birthday.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

At night, the formerly desolate street now comes alive with young partygoers.

The New York Times - Travel

It was in a cheaply constructed, boxlike, one-story building on a desolate street of bars, car-repair shops, and empty lots.

The New Yorker

ON a blazingly hot sunny day in Los Angeles, eight people are inside One Take Studios on a desolate street, prepping for a photo shoot.

The New York Times

Mr. Cruz said that he and Ms. Frazier had been robbed by a stranger after parking on a desolate street with their 14-month-old son, Alijah.

The New York Times

Mr. Towell photographed a dazed man in the desolate street reading a single sheet of paper from the debris as if it were poetry.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a setting in your writing, use "desolate streets" to create a sense of emptiness, abandonment, or post-apocalyptic atmosphere.

Common error

Avoid having characters explicitly state that the streets are "desolate" unless it's crucial to the plot. Instead, show the desolation through their actions, observations, or the environment itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desolate streets" primarily functions as an adjective-noun combination, where 'desolate' modifies the noun 'streets'. It is used to describe the condition or state of the streets. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "desolate streets" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to portray urban settings characterized by emptiness and abandonment. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig, this adjective-noun combination effectively evokes feelings of loneliness or urban decay. When crafting descriptions, consider replacing it with options like "deserted roads" or "abandoned avenues" to add nuance. Utilize this phrase thoughtfully in your writing to create evocative imagery, but avoid overuse in dialogue to maintain subtlety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deserted roads

Focuses on the abandonment and lack of traffic.

abandoned avenues

Emphasizes the forsaken and neglected nature of the streets.

empty city roads

Highlights the absence of people and activity in an urban setting.

lifeless streets

Draws attention to the lack of vitality and activity.

forlorn lanes

Implies a sense of sadness and abandonment in smaller, narrower streets.

bleak urban roads

Highlights the depressing or unwelcoming atmosphere of the streets.

godforsaken roads

Emphasizes extreme desolation and abandonment, often in a dramatic way.

uncrowded streets

Focuses on the absence of crowds, suggesting a lack of social activity.

quiet neighborhood roads

Emphasizes the stillness and lack of activity in residential areas.

isolated urban streets

Highlights the feeling of seclusion and separation from society.

FAQs

What does "desolate streets" mean?

"Desolate streets" refers to streets that are deserted, abandoned, and often evoke a feeling of loneliness or emptiness.

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

You might say, "After the evacuation, the once-bustling city was reduced to "desolate streets" and empty buildings".

Are there synonyms for "desolate streets"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "deserted roads", "abandoned avenues", or "empty city roads" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What feeling does the phrase "desolate streets" evoke?

The phrase "desolate streets" typically evokes feelings of loneliness, abandonment, and sadness, often suggesting a sense of urban decay or post-disaster landscape.