empty husk of a person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "empty husk of a person" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who appears to lack substance, emotion, or vitality, often implying a sense of emptiness or disconnection from their true self. Example: "After the traumatic event, he felt like an empty husk of a person, going through the motions of life without any real engagement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I see my life slowly drifting out of my body until one day, I am nothing but an empty husk of rotting meat clutching an iPhone.

The Guardian - Music

The property wasn't worth what he had agreed to pay.' As a result, most new developments stand unsold and unoccupied along the beachfronts, each one an empty husk of high-rise concrete.

The Guardian

Since then the empty husk of the cruise liner has been adrift, its cozy interior now believed to be inhabited by hordes of rats feeding off one another.

Los Angeles Times

Human resource departments have hollowed out their employees, leaving little more than a pleasantly smiling husk of a person.

TechCrunch

I became a husk of a person for a while". Harvey put her energy into integrating with the deaf community but when her dad suggested she give music another go, she agreed, just to prove a point.

BBC

I just know that my entire identity hasn't been based on my appearance and so when I'm old and haggard, I don't think I'll be feeling like a complete husk of a person.

Huffington Post

In patches of parkland near a lake, the empty husks of the nymph-stage bugs are everywhere, left behind wherever a creature squeezed out of a gap in its shell like an extraterrestrial in a Ridley Scott movie.

The New York Times

Its specific offense involved a belated attempt to peddle empty husks of kawaii in the form of cosplay maids and Pokémon. .

Vice

The empty husks of buildings in the cities of Donetsk and Lugansk testify to the brutal shelling they suffered this summer.

The New Yorker

What should we do about new synthetic drugs that can turn people into empty husks of addiction?

Vice

"I was an empty shell of a person," she explains.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase “empty husk of a person” to vividly portray a profound sense of loss, emotional depletion, or disconnection from one's true self. Reserve this for situations where the individual has undergone a significant trauma or life-altering experience.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase “empty husk of a person” in everyday conversation or trivial situations. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic or insincere. It is better suited for serious, reflective, or creative writing where a strong emotional effect is desired.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empty husk of a person" functions as a metaphorical noun phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to describe someone who appears to lack substance, emotion, or vitality, often implying a sense of emptiness or disconnection from their true self.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Reference

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "empty husk of a person" is a metaphorical expression used to describe someone who appears devoid of emotion, vitality, or substance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it often implies a profound sense of loss or disconnection. While grammatically correct, its usage is relatively rare and best suited for contexts where a strong emotional impact is desired, such as creative writing or serious reflections. To avoid overuse and maintain impact, consider related phrases like "shell of a person" or "hollow figure". Predominantly found in news and media sources, this phrase carries a neutral tone, but its metaphorical nature allows for evocative and expressive communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Shell of a person

Emphasizes the external form remaining while the internal substance is gone.

Hollow figure

Highlights the lack of inner depth and substance.

Emotionally drained individual

Focuses on the depletion of emotional resources.

Living cadaver

Emphasizes the lack of vitality.

Walking ghost

Suggests a spectral presence, lacking real engagement with life.

Dehumanized being

Highlights the loss of human qualities and individuality.

Desiccated soul

Implies a spiritual dryness and lack of nourishment.

Automaton

Focuses on the lack of free will and mechanical existence.

Zombified individual

Suggests a state of being mindlessly driven.

A shadow of one's former self

Highlights the diminished state compared to a previous, more vibrant condition.

FAQs

What does it mean to describe someone as an "empty husk of a person"?

Describing someone as an "empty husk of a person" means they appear to lack substance, emotion, or vitality, often implying a sense of emptiness or disconnection from their true self. It suggests a significant loss or trauma has left them feeling hollow.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "empty husk of a person"?

It's appropriate to use the phrase "empty husk of a person" in contexts where you want to vividly portray a profound sense of loss, emotional depletion, or disconnection. This is suitable for situations where an individual has undergone significant trauma or a life-altering experience. The phrase is more effective in serious, reflective, or creative writing.

What are some alternatives to saying "empty husk of a person"?

You can use alternatives like "shell of a person", "hollow figure", or "emotionally drained individual" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "empty husk of a person" differ from "shadow of one's former self"?

While both phrases describe a diminished state, "empty husk of a person" emphasizes the internal emptiness and lack of vitality, while "shadow of one's former self" focuses on the contrast between the current state and a previous, more vibrant condition.