devoid of people

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'devoid of people' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe a place or situation where there are no people present. For example: The old, forgotten mansion was completely devoid of people.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Oddly devoid of people.

The New York Times

Other interiors are devoid of people.

The Guardian - Arts

"A computational creativity system has no meaning in a closed universe devoid of people," they say.

MIT Technology Review

It is devoid of people and buildings, except for three abandoned churches and a mosque.

The New York Times

Yet "Room," which Ms. Taylor describes as "an architectural portrait," is singularly devoid of people.

The New York Times - Arts

Elena and Vladimir may live in splendor, but their upscale neighborhood is weirdly devoid of people.

The New York Times

Teh has chosen to depict the world's most populous country as devoid of people.

The New Yorker

That left the food courts wondrously devoid of people for unfettered trolling of the day's options.

The New York Times

Moreover, the scenes are always devoid of people or signs of human activity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The temple compound was not devoid of people, but this was a different sort of crowd.

The New York Times - Travel

The streets around the convention center were devoid of people, even on a warm spring day.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devoid of people" to vividly describe settings or scenarios where human absence significantly contributes to the atmosphere or narrative. For instance, describing an abandoned city as "devoid of people" immediately conveys a sense of desolation and mystery.

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of people" when a more neutral term like "unoccupied" or "empty" would be appropriate. "Devoid" carries a stronger emotional weight and suggests a significant absence, which might be unsuitable for purely descriptive contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of people" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, describing something as lacking human presence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used to depict scenes or environments characterized by an absence of individuals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Arts

18%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Travel

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devoid of people" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys the absence of human presence. Ludwig AI highlights its common usage in descriptive writing, particularly to evoke feelings of emptiness or isolation. The phrase is most often found in News & Media, Arts, and Academic contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, consider the connotation it carries and whether a more neutral term might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "empty of people" or "lacking human presence" depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empty of people

Uses "empty" to emphasize a lack of contents including people; slightly more direct and common.

free of people

Indicates that people are not present, suggesting an absence that might be desired or beneficial.

unpopulated

Implies a general state of not being inhabited; focuses on the characteristic of lacking a population.

uninhabited

Focuses on the state of not being lived in, often used for geographical locations.

without people present

Directly states the absence of people; more literal and less stylistic.

lacking human presence

Highlights the absence of a human element, suggesting an atmosphere or feeling.

absent of individuals

A more formal way of expressing the lack of people, suitable for academic or official contexts.

deserted

Suggests abandonment and loneliness, implying a place once inhabited but now empty.

bereft of human life

Emphasizes a severe lack of human presence, often with a negative or sorrowful connotation.

vacant of occupants

Implies that a space is currently not occupied, emphasizing a temporary state.

FAQs

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

You can use "devoid of people" to describe places or situations where no one is present. For example: "The streets were "devoid of people" after the curfew was announced."

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "empty of people", "unpopulated", or "lacking human presence".

Is it better to say "devoid of people" or "empty of people"?

"Devoid of people" and "empty of people" are similar, but "devoid" often implies a more significant or striking absence, conveying a stronger sense of desolation or emptiness. Choose the one that best fits the tone you want to convey.

Can "devoid of people" be used to describe abstract concepts?

While primarily used for physical spaces, "devoid of people" can metaphorically describe situations lacking human interaction or influence. For example, you might describe a policy as "devoid of people" if it doesn't consider the human impact.