devoid of public

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devoid of public" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe something lacking public involvement or presence, but it requires additional context to be usable. Example: "The event was devoid of public interest, leading to a disappointing turnout."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

South-East Asia, by contrast, is conspicuously devoid of public information.

The Economist

Minogue was different: antiseptically sexy and curiously devoid of public personality, the puppet of all-powerful producers and songwriters, a media celebrity first and singer second.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The major candidates now are all Democrats, and the Republican primary ballot for Tuesday is devoid of public advocate candidates, so whoever wins the Democratic primary — or a runoff later — is all but guaranteed to take office.

The New York Times

After a two-year feasibility study of potential release sites, the area of the Cambrian mountains was selected by the VWT as offering the best hope of a successful reintroduction, not least because it was largely devoid of public roads – the possibility of being run over by motor vehicles being one of the biggest risks for the animals.

Independent

2 40 p.m. | Updated Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska, was scheduled to dine in Jerusalem with Israel's prime minister on Monday evening after a whirlwind tour that was heavy on holy sites but devoid of public statements on foreign policy issues.

The New York Times

Then there is the geography of Las Vegas, a city almost devoid of public transport - there is a monorail but it seems designed mainly to get you to walk miles through casinos before you find a station.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Internet trolling might seem like an issue that only affects a certain subset of people, but that's only true if you believe that living in a world devoid of diverse voices – public discourse shaped primarily by white, heterosexual, able-bodied men – wouldn't profoundly affect your life.

The Guardian

Los Angeles Los Angeles has not suffered the trauma of New Orleans, but it is a city famously devoid of a functioning public transportation network and public parkland.

The New York Times - Arts

As in 1880, the campaign was almost devoid of issues of public policy: only the perennial question of the tariff appeared to separate the two parties.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Cheney's speech provided delegates with yet another reason to revel in a quadrennial gathering that has been remarkably devoid of controversy, in public at least.

The New York Times

But now she is viewed as a rich person, and in China today the rich are assumed to be devoid of social ethics or public spirit.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider more common alternatives like "lacking public" or "absent of public" for clearer communication. Although the phrase "devoid of public" is used, it's not as widely recognized or grammatically sound as these options.

Common error

Avoid using "devoid of public" when simpler alternatives can convey the same meaning more directly. Overly complex phrasing can reduce clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devoid of public" functions as a descriptive phrase, aiming to express the complete absence of something related to the public. However, as per Ludwig AI, it's not grammatically sound and should be used with caution.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "devoid of public" is used to describe the absence of something related to the public. However, it's considered grammatically questionable by Ludwig AI. While it appears in some reputable news sources, its infrequent usage and questionable grammatical correctness suggest caution. Simpler alternatives like "lacking public" or "absent of public" are generally recommended for clearer and more effective communication. Specifying what exactly is lacking (e.g., "devoid of public interest" or "devoid of public support") can also enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking public

This alternative uses a more straightforward adjective to convey the absence of something public.

absent of public

This option replaces "devoid" with "absent", offering a slightly more common and direct phrasing.

without public

Uses "without" to indicate the absence, simplifying the sentence structure.

free of public

Emphasizes the lack of public involvement or presence, suggesting a state of being unencumbered.

empty of public

Replaces "devoid" with "empty", highlighting the emptiness or lack of public elements.

devoid of public interest

Specifies that it's the "interest" from the public that is lacking, adding clarity.

devoid of public participation

Specifies "participation" making the kind of absence more explicit.

devoid of public knowledge

Specifies "knowledge" that is missing to better describe the kind of absence.

devoid of public support

Focuses on the absence of public "support", highlighting a lack of endorsement or backing.

bereft of public

Uses a stronger word "bereft" to indicate a sense of loss regarding something public.

FAQs

What does "devoid of public" mean?

While the intended meaning is "lacking something related to the public", the phrase "devoid of public" is grammatically questionable. It's generally better to use phrases like "lacking public interest" or "devoid of public support" to be more specific.

What can I say instead of "devoid of public"?

You can use alternatives like "lacking public", "absent of public", or "without public" depending on the intended meaning. Be as specific as possible regarding what is lacking.

Is it correct to say "devoid of public"?

While some sources use the phrase, it's not considered standard English. Simpler and clearer alternatives are generally preferred. Ludwig AI considers this phrase to be incorrect.

How can I use "devoid of" correctly?

Use "devoid of" to indicate a complete absence of something, but ensure the object you're referring to makes grammatical sense in relation to the public. For example, "devoid of public support" is more grammatically sound than "devoid of public" alone.