devoid of matter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devoid of matter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing concepts, theories, or objects that lack physical substance or material existence. Example: "In theoretical physics, a black hole is often described as a region of space that is devoid of matter, yet it exerts a strong gravitational pull."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Although it was not clear that de Sitter's solution could describe the universe, as it was devoid of matter, this did motivate astronomers to look for a relationship between distance and redshift.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This should have eventually resulted in a lifeless universe devoid of matter.

Science Magazine

On even larger scales, galaxies collect into clumps and long filaments, rather than falling into random configurations, and surround regions largely devoid of matter.

BBC

According to Weyl, the metric field does not cease to exist in a world devoid of matter but is in a state of rest: As a rest field it would possess the property of metric homogeneity; the mutual orientations of the orthogonal groups characterizing the Pythagorean-Riemannian nature of the metric everywhere would not differ from point to point.

SEP

The search, led by astrophysicist William Purcell of Northwestern University, has now turned up about 50% of the missing positrons in an unlikely spot--a cloud about 3000 light-years from the galactic center, in a region thought to be almost entirely devoid of matter.

Science Magazine

The pleasures and pains of the afterlife that are scripturally discussed are primarily spiritual and intelligible although they retain an attachment to a body, unlike the body of this world, one which is devoid of matter (Mulla Sadra 2001-5, IX: 165-6).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

These oxidizing Pleistocene upland surfaces were well flushed by groundwater flow due to high-hydraulic head and also devoid of organic matter.

Applied Water Science

Why, in other words, should there exist huge concentrations of stuff -- massive clusters of galaxies like the Virgo cluster, cosmic equivalents of New York City, teeming with energy and activity -- separated by vast expanses of emptiness, nearly devoid of any matter at all?

Huffington Post

Furthermore, the obtained flow devoid of organic matter could be discharged or used for other applications.

Biotechnology for Biofuels

Classical physics predicts that empty space is devoid not only of matter but of energy as well.

Science Magazine

Even so, in order to fully appreciate the process view, it is well to keep in mind that Whitehead and Hartshorne reject the traditional concept of matter as devoid of any activity or feeling—Whitehead refers to the traditional view of matter as "vacuous actuality".

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts or theoretical constructs in science or philosophy, use "devoid of matter" to emphasize the absence of physical substance. For example, "The theoretical singularity is a point in space-time believed to be devoid of matter."

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of matter" when you actually mean something is unimportant or irrelevant. Use phrases like "irrelevant", "inconsequential", or "lacking significance" instead. "Devoid of matter" specifically refers to the absence of physical substance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of matter" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes something that lacks physical substance or material existence. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it's frequently used in scientific and philosophical contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "devoid of matter" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon expression primarily used in scientific and philosophical contexts. According to Ludwig, it serves to describe something lacking physical substance. While versatile, it's important not to confuse its specific meaning with general notions of unimportance. Key alternatives include "lacking material" and "empty of substance". Remember to use it when specifically referring to the absence of physical material in formal or technical discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking material

Replaces "matter" with "material" and "devoid of" with "lacking", keeping a similar meaning.

empty of substance

Uses "empty" instead of "devoid", and "substance" instead of "matter", altering the tone slightly.

without physical content

Substitutes "devoid of" with "without" and "matter" with "physical content", providing a more descriptive alternative.

bereft of material existence

Replaces "devoid of" with "bereft of", which is more formal, and "matter" with "material existence", adding emphasis.

absent of physical form

Changes "devoid of" to "absent of" and "matter" to "physical form", modifying the focus slightly.

lacking any physicality

Replaces "devoid of matter" with a more general statement about lacking physicality.

without material presence

Emphasizes the absence of a tangible presence, using "presence" instead of "matter".

empty of all physicality

Strengthens the emptiness by adding "all", making it a slightly more emphatic phrase.

non-material

A more concise, single-word adjective describing something that isn't made of matter.

immaterial

Another single-word adjective indicating the absence of physical matter, often used in philosophical contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "devoid of matter" to describe a space or concept that lacks physical substance. For instance, "The vacuum of space is nearly devoid of matter" or "The theoretical concept is devoid of matter and purely mathematical".

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

While both phrases indicate an absence of physical material, "devoid of matter" is often used in scientific or philosophical contexts to describe something fundamentally without physical components, whereas "lacking substance" can also refer to a lack of depth or meaning in a more general sense.

Which is correct, "devoid of matter" or "empty of matter"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "devoid of matter" carries a slightly more formal and scientific connotation, while "empty of matter" is more commonly used in everyday language to describe something physically empty.

What can I say instead of "devoid of matter" when describing an abstract concept?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "immaterial", "non-physical", or "lacking physicality" to describe abstract concepts that do not involve physical substance.