empty declaration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "empty declaration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a statement or assertion that lacks substance or meaningful content. Example: "The politician's speech was filled with empty declarations that failed to address the real issues facing the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The guidelines are mostly an exercise in empty declaration.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Solidarity without sacrifice is pure hypocrisy and now we don't need empty declarations on solidarity, but only dates and numbers".

Independent

Referring to his counterparts in the West, he added: "We always said that they shouldn't make empty declarations that terrorism is a common threat, but make real efforts and cooperate with each other more closely.

The New York Times

Writing in Maariv Alon, Ben David predicted: "Today, European leaders will gather together with tens of thousands of people in Paris, will make more empty declarations, and maybe even sing Kumbaya – and then go back to their normal routine.

The Guardian

Nothing is more certain to make NATO irrelevant and destroy its military integrity than empty declarations about new members, based on high-minded intentions we are unable, or unwilling, to fulfill.Your article notes that NATO has set out criteria for enlargement, but that is not precisely the case.

The Economist

Yet while Solidarity was ready to take up negotiations with the government, the Polish communists were unsure what to do, as they issued empty declarations and bided their time.

Wikipedia

It's only his broad, capable voice that redeems empty songs like "Declaration" and "Heroes," and adds shade and texture to "Permanent," about Mr. Cook's relationship with his brother, who has cancer.

The New York Times

Passion is best shown through sincerity, and a vac scheme application full of empty statements and declarations of "a love of the firm" can be seen through easily.

The Guardian

"America has had enough of empty words, of declarations detached from reality of an administration with no strategy or no intention of victory," said Republican presidential contender Jeb Bush in a foreign policy speech to a military college in Charleston, South Carolina.

The Guardian

' 'Your declarations have proven to be empty promises once again," one speaker scolded.

The New York Times

Declarations, she writes, are not empty words but transformative; they make us want to become the people they claim we are.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing statements using the phrase "empty declaration", provide concrete examples of what makes the declaration unsubstantiated. This adds weight to your critique and makes it more convincing.

Common error

Avoid using "empty declaration" as a generic criticism. Always provide context and explain why the declaration is considered empty or lacking substance, rather than simply labeling it as such.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empty declaration" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "empty" modifies the noun "declaration". According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English, and the examples show it often describes statements lacking substance. The phrase typically serves to critique or dismiss a statement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

6%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "empty declaration" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe statements that lack substance or genuine intent. As Ludwig AI explains, it serves to critique assertions, often highlighting their lack of supporting evidence or realistic plans. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase carries a neutral to professional tone. When employing this phrase, providing specific examples of the declaration's shortcomings strengthens your argument. While the phrase is usable and meaningful according to Ludwig, avoiding overuse and ensuring contextual relevance are crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hollow promise

Focuses specifically on promises that are insincere or unlikely to be fulfilled, highlighting the lack of genuine commitment.

meaningless statement

Emphasizes the lack of significance or importance in the statement, indicating it conveys nothing of value.

insincere assertion

Highlights the lack of genuine belief or feeling behind the assertion, suggesting a deceptive or disingenuous quality.

futile pronouncement

Suggests that the pronouncement is ineffective or incapable of producing any useful result, implying a wasted effort.

hollow words

Highlights the emptiness and lack of sincerity behind the words, indicating a lack of genuine feeling or commitment.

vain expression

Focuses on the uselessness or ineffectiveness of the expression, suggesting it is made for show without any real impact.

idle claim

Emphasizes the lack of substance or evidence to support the claim, suggesting it is unfounded and unreliable.

baseless assertion

Highlights the lack of foundation or evidence for the assertion, indicating it is purely speculative or without factual support.

worthless statement

Indicates that the statement has no value or merit, suggesting it is trivial or inconsequential.

vapid declaration

Conveys a sense of shallowness and lack of depth or substance in the declaration, suggesting it is superficial and uninspired.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "empty declaration" in a sentence?

Use "empty declaration" to describe statements that lack substance or commitment. For instance, "The politician's promise to reduce taxes was seen as an "empty declaration" because there was no plan on how to accomplish this".

What are some alternatives to saying "empty declaration"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "hollow promise", "meaningless statement", or "insincere assertion".

Is it ever appropriate to use "empty declaration" in formal writing?

Yes, "empty declaration" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to critically analyze a statement's lack of substance. Ensure you provide clear reasons why the declaration is considered empty.

What distinguishes an "empty declaration" from a simply incorrect statement?

An "empty declaration" isn't necessarily factually wrong, but it lacks depth, supporting evidence, or a realistic plan for implementation. An incorrect statement, on the other hand, is simply untrue. An empty declaration is more like an "unfulfilled promise".