devoid of anything

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devoid of anything" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something is lacking or absent, e.g. "The room was completely devoid of anything that resembled furniture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts & Literature

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

The cellar is totally devoid of anything new and interesting.

The Guardian

She's utterly unintrigued by the outside, "an uninhabitable wasteland devoid of anything useful".

The Guardian - Books

It's breezily written, at times entertaining, and devoid of anything approaching introspection.

The New Yorker

Devoid of anything scrappy or tossed off, the exhibition is a knockout.

The New York Times

He was also fat, lonely, divorced and devoid of anything that could be called a social grace.

The New York Times - Arts

Ms. Rubin wanted to develop cosmetics devoid of anything that might be even remotely harmful to a baby.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

But these kids were seemingly devoid of any sense of anything other than themselves, or of what they had bought.

The Guardian

The flavor of this beer is aggressively hop-forward, daringly devoid of nuance, and unlike anything you've ever tasted before.

The New Yorker

It's not every day that a country appoints as its global representative a known liar, a character for whom gross exaggeration, insult and racist innuendo seem utterly untroubling, a man apparently devoid of deep conviction about anything other than his own importance.

The Guardian - Opinion

Utterly devoid of discernable lyrics, percussion, or anything that you might describe as melody, there is something remarkably absorbing about Grief No Absolution's frostbitten ambience: imagine, perhaps, if Brian Eno had decided to write an album called Music for Mausoleums.

The Guardian - Music

But there is nothing hippy-dippy about her films, which for all their metaphysical leanings, are devoid of New Age sap and, if anything, derive their visceral power from a formal poise and rigor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devoid of anything" to create a strong sense of emptiness or absence in your writing. For instance, describing a landscape as "devoid of anything" immediately conveys its barrenness and desolation.

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of anything" in overly complex sentences, as it can sometimes make the sentence sound convoluted. Simpler phrasing might be more effective in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of anything" functions as a postpositive adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a complete absence of something. It emphasizes the lack of any element or quality, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "devoid of anything" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a complete absence or lack. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. It is categorized as a prepositional phrase and functions as a postpositive adjective phrase, frequently appearing in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. While simpler alternatives exist, "devoid of anything" effectively conveys a strong sense of emptiness or barrenness when used appropriately. Top sources like The New York Times and The Guardian demonstrate its widespread use in reputable publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Completely lacking in substance

Emphasizes the absence of any meaningful content or material.

Entirely without merit

Focuses on the absence of value or positive qualities.

Bare of any content

Highlights the absence of material within a space or object.

Empty of all things

Stresses a total absence of anything, suggesting a void.

Destitute of anything

Implies a severe lack or impoverishment of something.

Vacant of all matter

Highlights that it is completely empty.

Bereft of any element

Underlines the absence of a specific element or component.

Lacking any vestige

Indicates a complete absence of even a trace or hint of something.

Unfilled with objects

Underlines that it is not occupied.

Missing everything

States, in simple language, that all elements are not present.

FAQs

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

You can use "devoid of anything" to describe something that completely lacks a particular quality or content. For example, "The room was "devoid of anything" that suggested human habitation."

What are some alternatives to "devoid of anything"?

Some alternatives include "completely lacking in substance", "entirely without merit", or "empty of all things". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "completely devoid of anything"?

While "devoid" already implies a complete absence, adding "completely" can emphasize the thoroughness of the lack. Whether it's redundant depends on the context and the desired level of emphasis.

What's the difference between "devoid of" and "lacking in"?

"Devoid of" suggests a complete absence, while "lacking in" implies a deficiency or partial absence. For example, "The argument was "devoid of" logic" means it had no logic, whereas "The argument was "lacking in" logic" means it had some, but not enough.