devoid of anyone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devoid of anyone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or place that lacks people or individuals. Example: "The once bustling town square was now devoid of anyone, leaving an eerie silence in its wake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Her London is devoid of anyone outside those categories; they don't even pass by on the street, which feels odd in a novel so concerned with worldliness.

The New York Times - Books

Anyone knowledgeable about the oil industry understands that companies drilling in deep water will not wait around for six months while a presidential commission devoid of anyone with firsthand experience of the offshore oil business ponders their future.

Forbes

If you want to meet someone with the last name "kale" your odds are highest in Montana, but if that name frightens you, then New Mexico is largely devoid of anyone with the last name "kale".

Huffington Post

Like almost everything else Sparks does, Safe Haven is nothing more than weird small town America porn, demonizing big cities while glorifying little pockets of the country that are devoid of anyone who isn't white, straight, or Christian.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The place for your car, the place for your feet, the door that complied at the sight of you were all profoundly devoid of grace — at least, to anyone whose child was confined there.

The New Yorker

So that is the sort of man who runs the Premier League – petulant, spiteful, imperious, devoid of a sense of proportion, and nakedly contemptuous of anyone trying to represent the ordinary fan.

The Guardian - Sport

Unfortunately, Ybor was devoid of guys in thongs altogether – or anyone in thongs for that matter.

Vice

In a speech otherwise devoid of policy announcements, Mr Cameron hinted at a plan to restrict the benefits of anyone under the age of 25 they should be "earning or learning", he said.

The Economist

Anyone believing Tampa is devoid of original food culture need only take a short trip down the boulevard to know better.

The New York Times - Food

This is partly because they only go on holiday to exclusive resorts in warm locations, and partly because they don't want anyone to see how hollow and utterly devoid of life their eyes are.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Why would anyone want to watch a show so devoid of light and hope?

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devoid of anyone" when you want to emphasize a complete absence of people, particularly in a context where their presence might be expected or desired. This phrase is suitable for both literal and figurative scenarios.

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of anyone" in casual conversation. Its relatively formal tone might sound unnatural or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "nobody around" or "completely empty" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of anyone" functions as a descriptive element, typically modifying a noun phrase to indicate the absence of people. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, highlighting its role in specifying a state or condition of emptiness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "devoid of anyone" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe a place or situation lacking human presence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and understandable, although it leans towards a more formal tone. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, where it effectively conveys a sense of emptiness or absence. While alternatives like "empty of people" or "nobody around" may be more suitable for informal settings, "devoid of anyone" serves as a precise way to indicate the complete lack of individuals. Understanding its formality level and appropriate contexts will help writers use it effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empty of people

Replaces "devoid" with "empty" and "anyone" with "people", resulting in minor semantic change.

no one present

A more direct and simple way to state the absence of people.

lacking any people

Uses "lacking" instead of "devoid", softening the tone slightly.

without a single person

Emphasizes the complete absence of people, adding slight emphasis.

completely uninhabited

Focuses on the absence of inhabitants, suitable for describing places.

absent of all persons

Uses a more formal term "persons" instead of "anyone", increasing formality.

nobody around

A more informal way of saying there are no people present.

bereft of human presence

Adds a touch of melancholy or loss, emphasizing the absence of humanity.

utterly deserted

Stresses the feeling of abandonment and emptiness.

free from all individuals

Formal and highlights a state of being without any people.

FAQs

How can I use "devoid of anyone" in a sentence?

You can use "devoid of anyone" to describe a place or situation where there are no people. For example, "The street was "devoid of anyone" at that late hour".

What are some alternatives to "devoid of anyone"?

Alternatives include "empty of people", "lacking any people", or "nobody around" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "devoid of anyone" formal or informal?

"Devoid of anyone" leans towards the formal side. In more casual settings, you might prefer phrases like "no one around" or "completely empty".

Which is more appropriate, "devoid of anyone" or "devoid of people"?

Both "devoid of anyone" and "devoid of people" are grammatically correct. "Devoid of people" is slightly more common and arguably more natural-sounding in most contexts.