empty confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "empty confidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone appears to be confident but lacks true substance or assurance in their abilities or knowledge. Example: "Despite his empty confidence during the presentation, it was clear that he had not prepared adequately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Fred likens himself and Elly to the couple in "Revolutionary Road" — except, he adds, with empty confidence, "we actually make it;... we follow through and make it happen".

The New York Times - Books

An R function is provided in the Additional files 1, 2 and 3 that produces confidence intervals using this method, where empty confidence sets are given as [0,0].

BMC Medical Research Methodology

As for the confidence intervals obtained using generalised Cochran heterogeneity statistics described above, providing the interval [0,0] increases the coverage probability by α/2 when τ=0 but this avoids the difficulty in interpreting empty confidence sets.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

By 'exact' we mean, under the random effects model for meta-regression (1), that these two frequentist methods provide confidence intervals with exactly the nominal coverage probability (subject to the way we interpret empty confidence intervals, see below).

BMC Medical Research Methodology

This occurs when the data appear to be highly homogenous, and we can either follow Knapp et al.[ 21] and Jackson [ 8] by interpreting these empty sets as providing confidence intervals of [0,0], or Viechtbauer [ 9] and report the empty confidence set.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Just now, when the Republican field looks like a bug-spattered windshield and the most likely nominee strikes many in his own party as an empty suit, that confidence is understandable.

The New York Times

Just now [in January], when the Republican field looks like a bug-spattered windshield and the most likely nominee strikes many in his own party as an empty suit, that confidence is understandable.

The New York Times

But fresh fruit and goods of all kinds began to fill empty shelves, boosting confidence that the plan might be working.

Huffington Post

As we all saw, the airlines and the stock market closed down immediately, hotels emptied, and consumer confidence plummeted.

The New Yorker

The problem involves once-great-notions associated with Europe that now seem empty and overreaching, shaking confidence in its claim to unlimited promise.

The New York Times

"The empty bale restores your confidence in your subconscious," said Bernie Pellerite, author of the book "Idiot Proof Archery" and a self-described expert on target panic.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "empty confidence", ensure the context clearly demonstrates a discrepancy between outward appearance and actual capability or substance. Provide specific examples to illustrate the lack of genuine support for the displayed confidence.

Common error

Avoid simply stating someone has "empty confidence" without providing evidence. Show, don't tell. Describe the situations or actions that reveal the lack of true competence behind the facade.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empty confidence" functions as a noun phrase, where 'empty' modifies the noun 'confidence'. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct. It serves to characterize a specific type of confidence that lacks substance or genuine basis. The examples show its usage in describing people or situations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "empty confidence" is a grammatically sound way to describe a situation where someone appears confident but lacks genuine substance or skill. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While relatively rare, it primarily appears in News & Media and Scientific contexts. Alternative phrases, like "false confidence" or "unfounded confidence", offer similar nuances. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to provide supporting evidence to illustrate the discrepancy between outward appearance and actual ability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

false confidence

This alternative directly replaces "empty" with "false", emphasizing the lack of genuine basis for the confidence.

unfounded confidence

This alternative suggests that the confidence lacks a solid foundation or justification.

hollow confidence

This alternative uses "hollow" to convey a sense of emptiness and insincerity in the displayed confidence.

superficial confidence

This alternative emphasizes that the confidence is only on the surface and lacks depth.

illusory confidence

This alternative implies that the confidence is deceptive and not based on reality.

artificial confidence

This alternative suggests that the confidence is fabricated or manufactured, rather than genuine.

vain confidence

This alternative highlights that the confidence is excessive and based on an inflated sense of self-importance.

sham confidence

This alternative suggests that the confidence is a deceptive pretense.

baseless confidence

This alternative emphasizes that the confidence has no factual or logical support.

unwarranted confidence

This alternative indicates that the confidence is not justified or deserved.

FAQs

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

You can use "empty confidence" to describe someone who appears self-assured but lacks real substance or skill. For example, "Despite his "empty confidence", his presentation was filled with factual errors".

What are some alternatives to "empty confidence"?

Alternatives include "false confidence", "unfounded confidence", or "hollow confidence". These phrases all convey a sense of superficial or insincere assurance.

What is the difference between "empty confidence" and "high confidence"?

"Empty confidence" suggests a lack of real ability or knowledge despite outward appearances, while "high confidence" implies a strong belief in one's abilities that is usually backed by competence.

Is it always negative to describe someone as having "empty confidence"?

Yes, describing someone as having "empty confidence" is generally negative. It implies that their apparent self-assurance is a facade, masking a lack of genuine skill or knowledge.