devoid of opportunity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devoid of opportunity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, place, or context where there are no chances for advancement, growth, or success. Example: "The small town was devoid of opportunity, leaving many residents feeling trapped and unfulfilled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The latter novel looks at disaffection from the perspective of an excluded new underclass of youth, debt-shackled and devoid of opportunity.

The Guardian - Books

Many people feel they are in similarly helpless situations: stuck in jobs they don't like, powerless to improve things, devoid of opportunity.

Harvard Business Review

This minority of young people who are otherwise unable to cope have very few positive role models in schools and for them all the evidence points to a future devoid of opportunity and hope.

The Guardian - Opinion

"That's the real violence," as Jesse Jackson put it: when children live in neighborhoods devoid of opportunity, under an assumption of guilt which robs them of the presumption of innocence and dims their view of what may be possible in their world and their lives.

The Guardian - Opinion

To others, he's an inspiration who showed them the beauty of art in a place devoid of opportunity or hope.

Los Angeles Times

Devoid of opportunity, they sell themselves – or their children – without fully understanding the debt bondage and slave-like conditions they will end up in.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

And in Williamsburg, "this was an area that was devoid of opportunities for beer," he said.

The New York Times

This can be partially attributed to our twice-yearly companywide retreats, which mean no one is devoid of opportunities to connect.

Forbes

In the 1980s, faced with high taxes and greater regulation, employers began fleeing the city, leaving large swaths of the city devoid of economic opportunity.

The Washington Post

It was shown that both daily 5-minute handling/restraint, as well as housing devoid of climbing opportunity, resulted in increased FCM excretion.

General and Comparative Endocrinology

What James's image adds to this picture is the idea that a world-order with the opportunity for genuine good and the risk of genuine evil is of greater value than a world-order devoid of these opportunities and risks.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "devoid of opportunity", consider the specific context to convey the severity of the situation accurately. For instance, instead of saying "the town is devoid of opportunity", specify which demographic or sector lacks opportunities, for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of opportunity" in contexts where opportunities are merely limited, not entirely absent. Using a milder phrase like "lacking opportunity" might be more appropriate if some possibilities still exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of opportunity" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing a noun or noun phrase to indicate a complete absence of chances or possibilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage is correct and effective in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devoid of opportunity" is a grammatically sound and effective phrase used to describe a complete lack of chances or possibilities. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's essential to use it accurately, ensuring it reflects a total absence, not just a limitation, of opportunities. Alternative phrases, like "lacking opportunities" or "bereft of opportunity", can offer nuanced variations. The phrase tends to appear more frequently in news and media contexts, reflecting its role in describing socioeconomic conditions and societal challenges. Consider the context and desired emotional impact when using "devoid of opportunity" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking opportunities

Simple substitution of the adjective and pluralization of the noun for emphasis.

bereft of opportunity

Replaces "devoid" with "bereft", a synonym with a slightly stronger emotional connotation.

without opportunities

Uses a more common prepositional phrase to express the absence of opportunities.

opportunity-starved

Uses a single adjective to describe a situation lacking opportunities.

opportunity-scarce

Uses a single adjective to describe a situation where opportunities are limited.

poor in opportunities

Emphasizes the scarcity of opportunities by using the term "poor".

destitute of opportunity

Replaces "devoid" with "destitute", highlighting a severe lack of opportunities.

an opportunity vacuum

Metaphorically describes the situation as an empty space where opportunities should exist.

absence of opportunity

Nominalizes the phrase, focusing on the state of lacking opportunities.

a wasteland of opportunity

Employs a stronger metaphor to convey a complete lack of opportunities.

FAQs

What does "devoid of opportunity" mean?

The phrase "devoid of opportunity" describes a situation or environment where there are no chances or possibilities for advancement, growth, or success. It implies a complete absence of favorable prospects.

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

You can use it to describe places, situations, or even people's lives. For example: "The rural area was "devoid of opportunity", leading many young people to seek jobs in the cities."

Which phrase is more appropriate, "lacking opportunity" or "devoid of opportunity"?

"Devoid of opportunity" suggests a complete absence, while "lacking opportunity" implies a deficiency but not necessarily a total absence. The choice depends on the degree to which opportunities are missing. If there's still a small amount of opportunity you can use the alternative phrase "lacking opportunity".

What are some alternatives to "devoid of opportunity"?

Synonyms include "lacking opportunities", "bereft of opportunity", or "without opportunities", each carrying a slightly different nuance.