empty

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "empty" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that does not contain anything or is devoid of content. For example, "The room was empty except for a few pieces of scattered furniture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was empty.

The New York Times - Magazine

"But, as horrible as it is to say, a member of staff should probably not have released the car from the station when an empty one hadn't made it back".

The Guardian

A cashier at Dushanbe's Abulkosim Lohuti Academic Theatre says the 500-seat hall is often nearly empty.

The Guardian

Houses still sit empty, and there are calls for the government and Rio Tinto to make the dwellings available for public housing.

The Guardian

"It's very difficult to explain to people – particularly my Yolgnu constituents – who come to me about public housing and say why can't I have one of these empty houses?" says Walker.

The Guardian

Last year the NT government struck a deal with Rio Tinto to make 250 empty houses available to support new and existing businesses as part of a new, co-funded economic development entity, but not for public housing.

The Guardian

In the following year the town's population of about 4,000 dropped by nearly half, and as businesses and supermarkets closed, Qantas cut its services, and houses were left empty, the exodus began to take a toll on the mental health of those who stayed behind.

The Guardian

By Christmas morning there is a full stocking, an empty glass, a few crumbs and most of a carrot (for some reason Rudolph never seems to be very hungry).

The Guardian - Opinion

Central Goa This region has long, empty beaches, dominated by five-star resorts.

The Guardian - Travel

In addition, up to 80% of medical students are women, and many start families soon after qualifying – one practice in east London currently has five pregnant GPs and has not had a single application to cover the soon-to-be empty posts.

The Guardian - Opinion

The bed, bathroom, toilet and TV come as a modular unit, the "cubi", which can be quickly and cheaply installed, creating minimal environmental impact and bringing new life to empty buildings.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts, consider using synonyms like "hollow" or "devoid of" to convey nuances beyond simple physical emptiness. For example, "His promises were empty" can be replaced with "His promises were hollow" to imply insincerity.

Common error

In programming, distinguish between "empty" and "null". An "empty" string or array contains no elements, while "null" means the variable has no valid value assigned to it. Using them interchangeably can lead to errors.

Linguistic Context

The word "empty" primarily functions as an adjective to describe a state of being devoid of content or occupants. It can also act as a verb, meaning to make something empty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatile usage. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its application in describing physical spaces and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Opinion

15%

Travel

8%

Less common in

Sport

8%

Business

5%

Lifestyle

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "empty" is a versatile term primarily functioning as an adjective, signifying a lack of content or being unoccupied. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use across various contexts, including News & Media, Opinion, and Travel. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Related phrases include "vacant", "unfilled", and "void". When using "empty", be mindful of its distinction from "null" in programming contexts and consider synonyms to enhance nuanced descriptions. The word appears very frequently in contemporary English sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vacant

Indicates a state of being unoccupied or not filled, similar to "empty" but often referring to physical spaces.

unfilled

Directly describes the state of not being filled, closely related to the basic meaning of "empty".

unoccupied

Specifically refers to a space not being used or inhabited.

void

Implies a complete absence or emptiness, sometimes with a negative connotation.

hollow

Suggests emptiness within something, often implying a lack of substance or meaning.

devoid of

Emphasizes the absence of something specific.

barren

Often used to describe land or environments lacking vegetation or life, implying a lack of productivity or content.

lacking

Indicates a deficiency or absence of something needed or expected.

clear

Indicates space free from obstructions or contents.

deserted

Implies abandonment and emptiness, often used for places.

FAQs

How can I use "empty" in a sentence?

The word "empty" can be used to describe something that contains nothing, such as "an empty room" or "an empty promise". It can also be used as a verb, meaning to make something empty, for example: "to empty a container".

What can I say instead of "empty"?

You can use alternatives like "vacant", "unfilled", or "void" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "empty" versus "hollow"?

While both words suggest a lack of content, "empty" usually refers to a physical absence of contents. "Hollow" often implies a lack of substance or sincerity. For example, you might say "an empty box" but "a hollow victory".

Is it correct to say "empty of"?

Yes, "empty of" is a correct and common construction, meaning devoid of something. For example, "The room was empty of furniture".