empty crowd

USAGE SUMMARY

"empty crowd" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a group of people who are not present, or to suggest a feeling of loneliness or abandonment. For example, "The town square was filled with an eerie silence and an empty crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If it was England v Bangladesh in front of an empty crowd in Abu Dhabi, then maybe that would be more difficult.

The Guardian - Sport

The ones who knew us when we screened our crappy short films to an empty crowd in a rented out theater, and pretended they've just discovered the next Fellini.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But they also know the indignities of playing in "real" bands: cramped vans, empty crowds, scant compensation.

The New York Times

"FC Amsterdam were established from a merger of two struggling Amsterdam teams in 1972 and played to almost empty crowds in the massive Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam," writes Meir Moses.

The Guardian - Sport

Thereafter its opens its doors for domestic meetings before empty crowds, a testament to the will of a ruling class with money to burn on vanity projects aimed a conveying a sense of wonder to the watching world.

Independent

Given the mixed picture painted by economic data, it's easy to understand the case made by either the "glass half full" or the "glass half empty" crowds.

Forbes

The glass-half-empty crowd out there may see the task before them as Sisyphean.

The New York Times

If he is part of the glass-half-empty crowd, why was he still at the game?

The Washington Post

For the glass-half-empty crowd, the comparative selections would be Stromile Swift, taken second in 2000, and Tyrus Thomas, the fourth pick of the 2006 draft.

The New York Times - Sports

By 8 40, they had lined up to a half-empty crowd, holding their épées as Led Zeppelin played and a booming announcer called their names one by one.

The New York Times - Sports

For the glass-is-half-empty crowd, this must have been a sure sign that Belichick, the prodigal coach, had harkened back to his defensive guru days to outsmart his former colleague and the man who ultimately replaced him as the Jets' head coach.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "empty crowd" to create a sense of irony or disappointment, such as when describing a highly anticipated event that failed to attract attendees. This juxtaposition can be effective in conveying a feeling of anticlimax.

Common error

Avoid using "empty crowd" when simply referring to a situation where no crowd was expected in the first place. "Empty crowd" implies a contrast with an expected or desired gathering; otherwise, phrases like "no one present" or "completely vacant" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empty crowd" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. It describes a gathering of people that is expected to be full but is instead sparsely populated, creating a sense of irony or disappointment. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "empty crowd" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe a disappointing turnout at an event. Ludwig confirms that this expression can be used effectively to convey feelings of irony or anticlimax. Although not extremely common, it appears primarily in News & Media, with the most authoritative sources being The Guardian, Huffington Post, and The New York Times. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that you are highlighting the contrast between the expected and actual attendance, as opposed to simply describing a situation where no crowd was ever anticipated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sparse attendance

Focuses on the low number of people present, highlighting the lack of attendees.

poor turnout

Emphasizes the unsuccessful attempt to gather a large number of people.

thinly populated

Describes an area or event with very few people present, suggesting a lack of density.

deserted gathering

Highlights the abandoned or desolate nature of what was intended to be a social event.

underattended event

Focuses on the event itself, indicating that it did not attract the expected number of people.

scant audience

Specifically refers to a performance or presentation with a very small number of viewers.

unfilled venue

Emphasizes the physical space not being occupied by people, highlighting emptiness.

ghost town atmosphere

Draws a comparison to a deserted town, evoking a feeling of abandonment and emptiness.

desolate assembly

Paints a picture of sadness and loneliness in what should be a communal gathering.

poorly peopled

Directly states that there are not enough people present, lacking a full or lively presence.

FAQs

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

You can use "empty crowd" to describe a situation where a gathering is expected, but few people attend. For example, "The stadium was nearly empty; the players performed before an "empty crowd"".

What does "empty crowd" suggest?

The term "empty crowd" often suggests disappointment, failure, or a lack of interest in the event or performance taking place. It highlights a contrast between expectation and reality.

What's a good alternative to "empty crowd"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "empty crowd" include "sparse attendance", "poor turnout", or "underattended event".

Is it ever appropriate to use "vacant crowd" instead of "empty crowd"?

While both "vacant" and "empty" can describe a lack of content, "empty crowd" is generally preferred because "vacant" typically refers to a position or office. "Empty" more directly relates to the absence of people. "Vacant" is not commonly used to modify "crowd".