devoid of prisoners

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devoid of prisoners" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, place, or context where there are no prisoners present. Example: "The abandoned prison was eerily quiet, completely devoid of prisoners."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Today, the brig was devoid of prisoners.

The New Yorker

More of Mumford's powerful Gitmo sketches — of interrogation huts and cell blocks, all eerily devoid of prisoners — can be seen in "The Snow Leopard" (through Nov. 23) at New York's Postmasters Gallery.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Given the cost differential between the types of prisoners housed in public and private prisons, any analysis devoid of the costs associated with housing high-risk prisoners and high-cost prisoners with extreme medical conditions is not a definitive and true analysis.

Huffington Post

These cell blocks house mostly black prisoners and are devoid of any books, newspapers, televisions, or other entertainment options.

Vice

Children of prisoners are highly vulnerable.

Health & Justice

The cells were devoid of light and colder than the rest of the prison, and prisoners sent here were regularly stripped, beaten, and tortured and often starved, forced to sleep on the cold concrete floor wearing nothing but light underwear.

Wikipedia

In a world too often devoid of books, my collection of heavy, hardbound reference works is a source of constant attention from my fellow prisoners and the guards.

Huffington Post

Devoid of social value.

The New York Times

Devoid of all dismay.

Independent

Devoid of any empathy.

The New York Times

Oddly devoid of people.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devoid of prisoners" to emphasize a complete absence of inmates in a specific location or situation, creating a sense of emptiness or unusual circumstance.

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of prisoners" in everyday scenarios where the absence of prisoners is expected. It is most effective when the absence is surprising or noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of prisoners" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate the absence of prisoners. It is used to describe a place or situation where one would expect to find prisoners, but there are none. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "devoid of prisoners" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe the absence of inmates, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While relatively rare, the phrase is most commonly encountered in news and media contexts, where it serves to highlight an unexpected or noteworthy lack of prisoners in a given location or situation. Consider alternatives like "lacking prisoners" or "without inmates" for similar emphasis. When using the phrase, ensure it's applied in contexts where the absence of prisoners is somehow significant or surprising, rather than in routine scenarios where their absence is expected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without inmates

Focuses specifically on the absence of inmates, the persons officially confined in a prison.

lacking prisoners

Emphasizes the absence of prisoners, using a more direct synonym for "devoid".

empty of prisoners

Uses "empty" to describe the absence of prisoners, highlighting the physical emptiness.

prisoner-free

A concise, adjectival form indicating the absence of prisoners.

no prisoners present

A more explicit statement that there are no prisoners currently in a location.

unoccupied by prisoners

Highlights that prisoners do not occupy a space, emphasizing lack of occupancy.

clear of prisoners

Suggests the removal or absence of prisoners from a specific area.

without detainees

Uses the term "detainees", which may refer to individuals held for questioning or temporarily.

vacant of prisoners

Describes a state of being empty or unoccupied by prisoners.

free of prisoners

Highlights the concept of freedom from the presence of prisoners.

FAQs

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

You can use "devoid of prisoners" to describe a place or situation where prisoners would typically be expected, but are not. For example, "The prison cell was "devoid of prisoners" after the evacuation."

What are some alternatives to "devoid of prisoners"?

Alternatives include "lacking prisoners", "empty of prisoners", or "without inmates depending on the desired emphasis".

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

"Devoid of prisoners" and "empty of prisoners" are similar, but "devoid" often implies a more significant or surprising absence. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context and desired tone. /s/devoid+of+prisoners /s/empty+of+prisoners

Can "devoid of prisoners" be used metaphorically?

While primarily literal, "devoid of prisoners" could be used metaphorically to describe a situation lacking a particular element typically associated with confinement or restriction, though this usage is less common.