empty audience

USAGE SUMMARY

"empty audience" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a group of people who have gathered together for an event but no one is present. For example, "The comedian stepped out on stage but was met with an empty audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Audit Committee meetings are held six times a year at 8 a.m. on Mondays, mostly to an empty audience.

Los Angeles Times

Here was a bad sign: The prison staff had posted an "invitation list" for the event, perhaps because they'd heard rumors of an empty audience.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The battle is held in an empty, audience-free 30,000-square foot arena, inside a 40-by-40 40-by-40 40-by-40

Vice

Unbelievably, the concert promoter had forgotten to advertise it, so half-empty audience!

The Guardian - Music

Last year one could witness the spectacle of the singer Ginuwine, who had a top-10 R-and-B radio hit at the time, performing to a half-empty audience at the Manhattan club Tramps.

The New York Times - Arts

Once the space had emptied, audience members crowded inside, leaning against the tiled walls or, after a woman wiped it dry, perching on a countertop.

The New York Times

Too many seats, for instance, can be a mood killer if some go empty and audience members feel they are at a show no one else wants to see.

The New York Times

There's a small dance floor in front of the stage, but on a recent Friday night it stayed empty; the audience applauded the singers but preferred to ruminate over heartbreak and hard work at their tables.

The New York Times

The conservative editorial page of The Wall Street Journal called his campaign "empty," and audience members at Mr. Christie's address on Wednesday to the Black Ministers Council of New Jersey, a group that leans Democratic, shouted "Answer the question!" when he gave an imprecise response to a request for details about budget cuts.

The New York Times

Then the theatre emptied, the audience dispersed, and one of the men approached.

The New Yorker

The place was constantly filling and emptying, as audience time-slots commenced and expired, shearing along the fault-lines of delayed starts, technical glitches and no-shows.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "empty audience" to vividly depict a lack of attendees at an event, creating a sense of disappointment or failure.

Common error

Avoid using "empty audience" in highly formal or business settings. More professional alternatives like "low attendance" or "limited participation" are preferable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empty audience" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, modifying "audience" with the adjective "empty". It describes the state of an audience space as being without people. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "empty audience" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase used to describe a lack of attendees at an event. As confirmed by Ludwig, its primary function is descriptive, often carrying a negative connotation. While its frequency is rare, it's commonly found in News & Media contexts. When writing, be mindful of the register and consider more formal alternatives like "low attendance" in professional settings. Remember, while expressive, it may not always be the most appropriate choice depending on the intended audience and tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sparse attendance

Focuses on the low level of attendance.

poorly attended event

Highlights the event's lack of attendees.

thinly populated crowd

Emphasizes the small number of people present.

underattended gathering

Suggests fewer people came than expected.

scant turnout

Highlights the minimal number of people who showed up.

deserted venue

Emphasizes the emptiness of the location.

unfilled seats

Focuses on the visual aspect of unoccupied seating.

low participation

Highlights the lack of engagement from potential attendees.

meager gathering

Implies a small and inadequate number of attendees.

limited audience

Focuses on the restricted size of the audience.

FAQs

How can I describe a performance with very few attendees?

You could say the performance had an "empty audience", "sparse attendance", or was a "poorly attended event".

Is "empty audience" a negative term?

Yes, "empty audience" generally carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of interest or success for the event in question. Consider alternatives if you need to sound more neutral.

What's a more formal way to say "empty audience"?

In a formal setting, consider using phrases like "low attendance" or "limited participation", which are less evocative and more professional.

Can "empty audience" be used metaphorically?

While primarily literal, "empty audience" can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe a situation where there is a lack of support or attention, though this is less common.