empty air

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "empty air" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is most commonly used to describe a situation or landscape where there is a lack of substance or activity. Example: The once bustling city was now filled with empty air, as the population had fled in fear of the impending storm.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The empty air wobbled in the heat.

The New Yorker

"To the branch and the bird and the empty air".

The New York Times - Arts

Alone for the moment, I looked out across the empty air.

The New Yorker

There was only static, snow, the white-noise waterfall of empty air.

The New Yorker

The sailor died swinging, as if by a lanyard, in the empty air above his bed.

The New Yorker

Whether comic or bitter, dialogue is often allowed to resonate in empty air.

The New York Times

Green girls, they think it is their destiny To offer the ideal to empty air.

The Guardian - Books

They also lack the desperation; even his characters' best-thrown punches flail through empty air.

The New York Times - Books

A classmate standing next to him crossed himself every time a body catapulted into empty air.

The New York Times

The ceiling growing higher and higher, until finally it was obscured by the blueness of empty air.

The New Yorker

When eventually sleep came, I seemed to hear the soughing of trees outside in the empty air.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "empty air" to evoke a sense of absence, either physical or metaphorical. For example, describing a stage after a performance or the feeling after a significant loss.

Common error

While "empty air" is evocative, it may not be suitable for technical or scientific writing where precision is key. Consider more specific terms like "vacuum" or "free space" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empty air" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as an object of a preposition or as a subject complement. It describes a space devoid of physical objects or, metaphorically, a situation lacking substance or meaning. Ludwig confirms this widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "empty air" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its primary function is to describe a space or situation lacking in physical objects or substance. Usage ranges from literal descriptions of vacant spaces to metaphorical depictions of emptiness in feelings or promises. While "empty air" is versatile, it's important to consider the context and choose more precise terminology for technical writing. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, the phrase appears frequently in news and media sources, reflecting its broad applicability and evocative power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vacant space

Focuses on the absence of physical objects within a defined area.

unfilled void

Emphasizes the sense of incompleteness or lack of content.

desolate atmosphere

Highlights the barren and lifeless quality of the surrounding environment.

barren expanse

Focuses on the lack of anything present across a wide area.

lifeless atmosphere

Highlights the absence of vitality or activity.

vacuousness

Refers to the lack of meaningful content or substance.

nothingness

Implies the complete absence of anything at all.

void

A more concise term indicating a complete lack or absence.

hollowness

Implies emptiness, often with a negative or melancholic connotation.

unoccupied space

Indicates that an area is not currently being used or inhabited.

FAQs

How can I use "empty air" in a sentence?

You can use "empty air" to describe a literal absence of objects or a metaphorical lack of substance, for example: "His promises vanished into "empty air"." or "The magician made the rabbit disappear into "empty air"".

What's a more formal alternative to "empty air"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "vacant space" or "unoccupied area" if you're referring to physical space. For metaphorical uses, "lack of substance" or "absence of content" might be more appropriate.

Is it correct to say "the air is empty" instead of "empty air"?

While grammatically correct, "the air is empty" is less common and may sound awkward in certain contexts. "Empty air" is generally preferred because it's a more established and natural-sounding phrase.

Can "empty air" refer to a feeling or emotion?

Yes, ""empty air"" can be used metaphorically to describe a feeling of emptiness or a lack of emotional substance. For example, "After he left, the room felt filled with "empty air"".