empty clip

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "empty clip" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to firearms or video editing, referring to a magazine with no ammunition or a segment of video that has no content. Example: "The soldier checked his weapon and realized he had an empty clip, prompting him to reload before proceeding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He turns the AR-15 on the seat and ejects the empty clip and reaches under the seat and gets hold of a small canvas bag and puts it in his lap and unzips it and takes out a loaded clip and loads the AR-15 and pushes back the slide with the heel of his hand.

The New Yorker

I mean stuff like waiting in a vehicle until another player catches up, allowing them to hop in, or providing covering fire when someone else (often me) is stuck out in the middle of a street with an empty clip and a lousy sense of direction.

The Guardian - Tech

Like its forebears, Call of Duty: WWII is more a theme-park ride than a depiction of the true chaos of war: you follow the drama along clearly defined rails, shooting the targets as they pop up, always listening for the telltale "ting" (reminiscent of a hotel concierge's bell) that indicates an empty clip.

The New Yorker

I went to Hoffman's Gun Center -- "Guns for the Good Guys" -- in Newington Newly licensed, I was completely out of my depth when I went shopping, a beginner who could not remember how to get an empty clip out of the simplest semiautomatic handgun.

The New York Times

Have an empty clip?

WikiHow

Because of this, the Walther, which has the 2nd best empty clip reload, or the Colt, with the 2nd best partial clip reload, may be the better choice for you.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Empty clips if it will get the perfect reload.

WikiHow

Empty clips if it will get the active reload.

WikiHow

They recovered six pairs of elephant tusks, an AK-47, and six empty magazine clips, and promptly used their satellite phones to alert a rapid-reaction unit to set up roadblocks along nearby logging roads.

The New Yorker

They believed they could hide their gunfire under the noise of the midnight fireworks, and emptied clip upon banana clip of metal slugs skyward without a thought that they would eventually come down in a heavily populated urban area.

The Guardian

Another fantasy the mainstream right is propagating this year is that armed citizens can resolve a crisis in the time it takes to empty a clip.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about firearms, ensure you are using the correct terminology. While "clip" is commonly used, "magazine" is often the more technically accurate term, depending on the firearm.

Common error

Avoid using "clip" and "magazine" interchangeably. Clips are often used to load magazines, while the magazine itself is what feeds ammunition into the firearm. Using the wrong term can confuse readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empty clip" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a state or condition, indicating that a clip (or magazine) is devoid of ammunition. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "empty clip" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to indicate that a firearm clip or magazine contains no ammunition. While often used interchangeably with "empty magazine", the latter is considered more technically accurate. Ludwig AI validates that it can be used correctly, this phrase sees usage across News & Media and Wiki sources. When writing, being mindful of proper terminology is advised, and alternate phrasing may be needed. The frequency of the term can be considered uncommon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clip's empty

Shortened version of "clip is empty" using a contraction.

depleted magazine

Replaces "clip" with "magazine", using a more technically accurate term for firearms.

spent magazine

Emphasizes the state of the magazine having been used up.

unloaded clip

Focuses on the lack of ammunition within the clip.

clip without ammunition

Explicitly states the absence of ammunition.

out of ammunition

Describes the state of being without ammo, implying the clip is empty.

no rounds left

Refers to the absence of bullets or cartridges.

dry firing

Describes the action of firing a gun with no ammunition.

clip is exhausted

Uses the word 'exhausted' to convey that the clip does not have any ammunition.

completely discharged clip

Uses the term 'discharged' to imply that the clip has no remaining ammunition.

FAQs

What's the difference between a clip and a magazine?

A clip is a device used to hold cartridges together for easier loading into a magazine or firearm. A magazine is a container that holds cartridges and feeds them into the chamber of a firearm. While the terms are often used interchangeably, they are distinct components.

What can I say instead of "empty clip"?

You can use alternatives like "depleted magazine", "spent magazine", or "unloaded clip" depending on the context.

How to use "empty clip" in a sentence?

You might say, "The soldier quickly replaced the "empty clip" with a fresh one" or "The sound of the gun clicking signaled an "empty clip"".

Is it correct to say "empty clip" or should I say "empty magazine"?

While "empty clip" is commonly understood, "empty magazine" is often more technically correct when referring to the part of a firearm that feeds ammunition. The appropriate term depends on the specific firearm's mechanism.