devoid of culture

USAGE SUMMARY

"devoid of culture" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a place, person, or situation that lacks cultural elements or richness. Example: "The town felt devoid of culture, with no art galleries or theaters." Alternative expressions include "lacking culture" and "bereft of culture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"I got sick of saying Westchester is devoid of culture.

The New York Times

In the book, to be published by Pantheon in February, the Master presides over a universe devoid of culture or compassion.

The New York Times - Style

Ahamadinejad's media adviser, Mehdi Kalhor, told the Fars News Agency: "We believe that US cinema is devoid of culture and that their art is only a stratagem".

The Guardian - Film

Devoid of culture or curiosity about lives other than their own, the Dodsons nonetheless know themselves to be experts in everything that really matters, including "obedience to parents, faithfulness to kindred, industry, rigid honesty, thrift, the thorough scouring of wooden and copper utensils".

The Guardian - Books

THIS IS NOT TO SAY that Malindi is entirely devoid of culture: the Picasso in residence is Armando Tanzini, an Italian-born sculptor who has exhibited at the Venice Biennale; his work is all over the Lion in the Sun, where he has a fan in Briatore.

The New York Times - Style

"As if to assume that every person who lives in an area with comparatively high crime or poverty is a criminal, or that these areas are devoid of culture or positivity".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

And now the Poles, whose homeland is nearly devoid of Jewish culture, have picked up its intricacies by picking up crumbs in Brooklyn.

The New York Times

Do you ever feel there's not enough music, film or books to read in your life – that the web is just a black, silent hole, devoid of any culture?

The Guardian - Music

"In the film Iranians are considered to be monsters devoid of any culture, humanity and wisdom who know nothing except attacking other lands, threatening peace and killing human beings.

The Guardian

[One recalls here the famous "Parthian shot," a metaphor drawn from a neighbouring people.] We seek out those deserts totally devoid of human culture rather than the cities and the rich countryside.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Popular films like "American Sniper" reduce places like Iraq to dusty war zones, devoid of any culture or history.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devoid of culture" to describe places, communities, or even artistic works that lack identifiable cultural elements or depth. Consider the specific cultural elements that are absent to provide a more nuanced description.

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of culture" as a blanket statement to dismiss an entire region or group. Recognize that even seemingly uncultured places can have unique, albeit less visible, cultural nuances. Dig deeper before applying the label.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of culture" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a lack or absence of cultural elements or richness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and semantic meaning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devoid of culture" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe something lacking cultural elements. Ludwig AI confirms this. While not overly common, it's found in reputable sources across various categories such as News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. When using this phrase, consider the potential for overly broad application and strive for nuance by specifying which cultural aspects are absent. Alternatives include "lacking in culture" or "bereft of culture", depending on the desired emphasis. Use with consideration, as it can imply a negative judgement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking in culture

Directly states the absence of culture, with a slight difference in emphasis.

bereft of culture

A more formal and emphatic way to express the absence of culture.

culturally barren

Uses the metaphor of barrenness to describe the lack of cultural activity.

culturally impoverished

Highlights the limited access to cultural resources or activities.

without cultural depth

Focuses on the lack of profundity or richness in cultural aspects.

culturally sterile

Implies an inability to produce or support cultural expression.

culturally empty

Suggests a hollowness or absence of meaningful cultural content.

lacking cultural vibrancy

Points out the absence of energy and enthusiasm in cultural life.

culturally deficient

Indicates an inadequacy or shortage in cultural aspects.

without a cultural identity

Emphasizes the absence of a distinct or strong cultural character.

FAQs

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

You can use "devoid of culture" to describe something lacking in cultural elements. For example, "The new development was criticized for being "devoid of culture" and character."

What are some alternatives to saying "devoid of culture"?

Alternatives include "lacking in culture", "bereft of culture", or "culturally barren" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to describe a person as "devoid of culture"?

While grammatically correct, describing a person as "devoid of culture" can be seen as harsh and judgmental. It's more constructive to specify which cultural experiences or knowledge they might lack, rather than implying a complete absence.

What is the difference between "devoid of culture" and "lacking culture"?

While similar, "devoid of culture" suggests a complete absence, whereas "lacking culture" implies a deficiency but not necessarily a total absence. "Devoid of culture" is the stronger statement.