devoid of context

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "devoid of context" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is often used to describe a situation, statement or idea that is impossible to interpret because the necessary background information and context are lacking. For example: "The brief statement she made at the meeting was completely devoid of context, so it was impossible to know what she was really trying to say."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Often the photos are devoid of context.

The Guardian - Opinion

He is simply a consciousness devoid of context.

The Guardian - Books

But devoid of context, her violent exertions had little impact.

The New York Times - Arts

School subjects, in comparison, feel devoid of context.

The New York Times

But it is not an evil devoid of context.

The Washington Post

It's just data, devoid of context or bias.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Laudatory posters of Davis adorn the walls (Jefferson Davis: An American Patriot; Jefferson Davis, Mississippian, Author, and American Patriot; Jefferson Davis, Leader of Heroic Resistance) devoid entirely of context.

HuffPost

In her hands, the hunt for bin Laden is essentially a police procedural, devoid of moral context.

The New Yorker

It is a twisted kind of insinuation, delivering the term back into common parlance devoid of any context or understanding in the artistic work.

The Guardian - Opinion

Perhaps most important, Mr. Hino realized that a dry list of visual and mental puzzles devoid of narrative context would be little more than a boring electronic book.

The New York Times - Arts

The complexities of abolition mean that the kind of apology Tony Blair offered for the 1840s Irish potato famine - politically driven and devoid of historical context - does no service to the significance of abolition.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "devoid of context", ensure you clarify what context is missing to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "The data was devoid of context", specify "The data was devoid of historical context".

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of context" in overly complex sentences where its meaning gets diluted. Break down the sentence or rephrase for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of context" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it lacks the necessary background information or surrounding circumstances for proper understanding. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is commonly used across different sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "devoid of context" is a useful tool for expressing the lack of necessary background information to properly understand a statement, situation, or piece of data. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. While alternatives like "lacking context" or "without context" exist, "devoid of context" carries a slightly more formal tone. When using this phrase, make sure to clearly indicate what specific context is missing to avoid ambiguity. Be aware of the potential to overuse the phrase in overly complex sentences, which can dilute its impact. Considering its presence across various authoritative sources, the phrase's usage is both appropriate and impactful in conveying the incompleteness of information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking context

This alternative directly replaces "devoid of" with "lacking", maintaining a similar level of formality.

without context

Uses "without" as a simpler substitute for "devoid of", offering a slightly more informal tone.

missing context

Emphasizes the absence of context by using the verb "missing".

context-free

Condenses the phrase into a single adjective, implying the absence of contextual information.

isolated from context

Highlights the separation from surrounding circumstances, adding a sense of detachment.

out of context

Indicates that something has been removed from its original context, often leading to misinterpretation.

lacking background information

Specifies the type of missing information, focusing on the absence of necessary background details.

decontextualized

Transforms the phrase into a single word, emphasizing the action of removing context.

uncontextualized

Similar to "decontextualized", but places more emphasis on the state of not being contextualized.

bereft of background

Replaces "context" with the term "background", maintaining the same overall meaning and level of formality.

FAQs

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

You can use "devoid of context" to describe information, actions, or statements that are difficult to understand because they lack necessary background or surrounding details. For example, "The image was "devoid of context", making it impossible to interpret its meaning accurately".

What can I say instead of "devoid of context"?

You can use alternatives like "lacking context", "without context", or "missing context" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "devoid of context" or "lacking context"?

Both "devoid of context" and "lacking context" are grammatically correct. "Devoid of context" is slightly more formal, while "lacking context" is more commonly used in everyday language.

What does it mean when something is described as "out of context"?

When something is "out of context", it means it's been removed from its original setting or surrounding information, which can change its meaning or create a false impression. It implies that the information needs its original surroundings to be properly understood.