devour space

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devour space" is not a standard expression in written English, but it can be understood in a creative or metaphorical context.
You can use it when describing something that consumes or occupies a large amount of physical or metaphorical space, such as in art, literature, or technology. Example: "The new skyscraper seems to devour space, towering over the city and casting long shadows on the streets below."

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The reference is significant: as entities, these slim animals are at once refined and fidgety, highly flexible and, of course, able to devour space at great speed.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

When Emily Kikta, a towering demi-soloist, came out of nowhere in "That Certain Feeling," devouring space opposite Ask la Cour, it was a question of who's that girl?

The New York Times - Arts

And when it came to the coda, she devoured space in a circuit of turns with a glamorous power I have not seen since Maria Calegari 26 years before.

The New York Times - Arts

The sheer performing chutzpah of Ms. Osipova and Mr. Vasiliev was astonishing — Mr. Vasiliev roars through a solo, devouring space beyond all proportion to his frame — but their "Flames of Paris" pas de deux came after we'd been in the theater for two and a half hours and had looked at more than enough recyclings of the same few ballet tricks.

The New York Times - Arts

The dancers devour the space on stage, share body weight, pull apart and then come together in moments of conflict or tenderness.

Stanford University

She wanted to devour public space, to display her strength and muscularity, to eat up the opportunities to race and compete.

The Guardian - Sport

More than 125 million Americans suffer from intermittent unhealthy air, 270,000 miles of rivers and streams remain too polluted for fishing and swimming, coastal estuaries are in generally poor shape, and suburban sprawl continues to devour open space at an alarming rate.

The New York Times

Bath's backs had been carrying all before them, only to be stopped at source as Saracens devoured the space in front of them.

The Guardian - Sport

The paradoxically sinister beauties of these Armageddons are further elaborated in the "Secret Garden" series (also 2008), in which nature takes its revenge on the planet now devoid of humans, as trees and plants invade and devour urban spaces, gradually obliterating every trace of past human existence.

The New York Times - Arts

All six sculptures at Gagosian were enormous: leaning walls of two-inch-thick industrial steel plate; two forty-ton rectangular solids that devoured the space of two rooms; a strange, exquisitely calibrated monolith that looked like a great ship listing dangerously to one side.

The New Yorker

A quartet of strong performers devoured the space in the small theater, whose far end was blocked by a plywood wall, painted gray with skeins and bursts of colors (by Anna Schuleit) to resemble something like the Abstract Expressionist paintings Guggenheim collected.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devour space" when you want to convey a sense of intensity or completeness in how something occupies or transforms an area, particularly in creative or metaphorical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "devour space" in formal or technical writing where a more precise and neutral term like "occupy" or "utilize" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devour space" functions as a verb phrase where "devour" acts as a transitive verb, taking "space" as its direct object. Ludwig examples show it describing a forceful or complete occupation of physical or metaphorical space.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "devour space" is a creative and evocative way to describe the consumption or occupation of space, often with an emphasis on intensity or completeness. As Ludwig suggests, its usage is grammatically acceptable, although relatively uncommon. It fits best in descriptive or metaphorical contexts within news, media or academic content. While alternatives like "occupy area" or "utilize space" may be more appropriate for formal or technical writing, "devour space" adds a vivid and forceful tone. Ludwig AI's analysis underscores its role as a descriptive verb phrase, effectively conveying a sense of dominance or transformation in how something interacts with its surrounding environment. Therefore, use this phrase carefully and purposefully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eat up space

A more informal alternative, but conveys a similar idea of consumption.

consume area

Focuses on the consumption of a defined area, removing the intensity implied by "devour".

dominate space

Implies control or influence over an area, rather than literal consumption.

fill space

Suggests occupying the entirety of an area, lacking the forceful nature of "devour".

absorb space

Suggests taking in or assimilating the area, rather than actively consuming it.

occupy area

Indicates presence within an area, without the implication of consuming or transforming it.

command space

Indicates a position of control or authority over a physical area.

seize area

Implies taking control of an area, often forcefully.

maximize area

Focuses on optimizing the use of an area, not necessarily consuming it entirely.

utilize space

Implies practical use of an area, without the sense of complete consumption.

FAQs

How can I use "devour space" in a sentence?

You can use "devour space" to describe something that consumes or dominates an area, like, "The skyscraper seemed to "devour space", overshadowing the surrounding buildings."

What's a more formal alternative to "devour space"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "occupy space", "utilize space", or "maximize area" for a more neutral tone.

Is "devour space" grammatically correct?

"Devour space" is grammatically acceptable, although it's a somewhat creative and less common expression. It's best suited for descriptive or metaphorical writing.

What's the difference between "devour space" and "fill space"?

"Devour space" implies a more active and consuming action, suggesting something aggressively takes up area. "Fill space" simply means to occupy the entirety of an area without the aggressive connotation.