empty hearing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "empty hearing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a hearing or listening session lacks substance, meaning, or significant content. Example: "The committee's decision felt like an empty hearing, as no real issues were addressed during the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I understand they have almost hired a lobbyist for each one of us," Waters said, speaking after Speier in an almost completely empty hearing room.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In January, in a half-empty hearing room in Washington, D.C., U.S. trade policy was being made.

Forbes

If it wasn't a vital part of the game of basketball, players would be competing in an empty stadium, hearing nothing but crickets.

Huffington Post

Shortly after testifying in front of an almost empty House Armed Services Committee hearing room, on my way to an old Air Force pal's house, I learned that the combat exclusion policy on women in the military was lifted.

Huffington Post

He found the office empty, but heard noises from the adjoining dressing room.

The New York Times

They would see the empty seats, hear the chatter that rose above any chanting and wonder if their feelings for the shirt were reflected by a nation who seemingly didn't believe any more.

The Guardian - Sport

The shot in question was relatively simple, if working with child actors can ever be considered simple: Gearhart, in the role of Georgie, a terrified 8-year-old hiding in an empty house, hears a noise behind him, turns and crosses a dimly lighted room.

The New York Times

As the first day of the conference winded down and the center was emptied, I heard someone shout, "Where are the racists?" from down a stairwell.

Vice

In a complete flush, just as the bowl fully empties you hear a "glurp!", which is the sound of the siphon sucking an air bubble because there is no more water to suck out.

WikiHow

"And one thing we had to fight was the fact that so many people had gotten frustrated after hearing empty promises for decades".

The New York Times

This play's depiction of disenfranchised employees exhausted of hearing empty platitudes from management was uncomfortably resonant in a post-Occupy Wall Street society.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "empty hearing", ensure the context clearly indicates that the hearing lacked substance, purpose, or attendees. Avoid using it simply to describe a quiet room.

Common error

Avoid using "empty hearing" to merely describe a sparsely attended hearing. Instead, reserve it for situations where the hearing lacked meaningful discussion or decisions, regardless of attendance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empty hearing" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "empty" modifies the noun "hearing". It describes a specific type of hearing characterized by a lack of substance or meaningful content. Ludwig indicates this is usable in written English.

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 hearing" is a grammatically correct but relatively rare expression used to describe a hearing that lacks substance, meaning, or impact. Ludwig indicates its correct usage, though alternatives like "meaningless hearing" or "fruitless hearing" may be more common. The phrase is primarily found in news and media contexts, and it serves to criticize or express dissatisfaction with the ineffectiveness of a hearing. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates that the hearing lacked substance or purpose, rather than simply describing a quiet room.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meaningless hearing

Emphasizes the lack of purpose or value in the hearing.

fruitless hearing

Highlights the lack of positive outcomes or results from the hearing.

unproductive hearing

Focuses on the inefficiency and lack of progress during the hearing.

hollow hearing

Suggests a lack of sincerity or genuine engagement in the hearing.

pointless hearing

Underscores the absence of a clear objective or rationale for the hearing.

futile hearing

Implies the hearing was destined to fail or be ineffective.

sham hearing

Suggests the hearing was a deceptive or insincere performance.

perfunctory hearing

Indicates the hearing was conducted as a mere formality, without genuine interest or effort.

ineffectual hearing

Highlights the hearing's failure to produce any meaningful change or impact.

insubstantial hearing

Emphasizes the lack of significant content or discussion during the hearing.

FAQs

What does "empty hearing" mean?

The phrase "empty hearing" refers to a hearing that lacks substance, significance, or meaningful discussion, often implying a lack of purpose or impact.

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

You can use "empty hearing" in sentences like, "The committee's decision felt like an "empty hearing", as no real issues were addressed during the discussion."

What are some alternatives to "empty hearing"?

Alternatives to "empty hearing" include "meaningless hearing", "fruitless hearing", or "hollow hearing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "empty hearing" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "empty hearing" is not a particularly common phrase. More frequent alternatives, like "meaningless hearing", might be preferred for greater clarity and impact.