empty landmark

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "empty landmark" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a landmark that lacks significance, meaning, or content, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The once vibrant town square has become an empty landmark, devoid of the life and activity it once had."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They have been more than 100 miles apart but after the high court judgment Quinn finds himself in the same situation as the empty landmark in Belfast.

The Guardian

Historic England has added it to the register announced on Friday because of the impact of increasing traffic, the number of empty landmark buildings, and the blight of poorly designed shopfronts out of character with the Regency and Victorian buildings.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In 1983, as the Landmarks Preservation Commission began to consider designating the empty building a landmark, the new owner, Fraydun Manocherian, began to demolish it without a permit.

The New York Times

Like all venerable clubs that close their doors, the Bottom Line takes with it the peculiar confluence of real estate, acoustics, bookings, memories and lingering physical vibrations that added up to transform an empty room into a landmark.

The New York Times - Arts

Many mornings he'd stroll into the park, walk up toward the lighthouse, find an empty bench and compose the landmark known as "Native Son".

The New York Times

The building at 350 Bush, a neoclassic design topped with a pediment displaying a sculpture by Jo Mora and later called the San Francisco Mining Exchange, is currently empty; it was designated San Francisco Landmark No. 113 in 1980.

Wikipedia

The building, which was shut down as a can factory in the 1970s and has mostly been empty since then, is a local landmark.

The New York Times

At the request of Mayor Galie, Cogan had agreed in 1996 to buy the town's landmark United Office Building, an empty 20-story office tower built in 1927, for $2.2 million.

Forbes

We were wary of some empty lots between the building and the landmark, but were told it would be years before anything started.

The New York Times

"We used to go to the old diner," Ms. Samuels said, referring to the original, more modest Landmark Diner, which now sits empty down the street.

The New York Times

But theirs is a vision where traditional landmarks are avoided and where empty stations, housing estates, cab offices and canal basins are venerated instead.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "empty landmark" to vividly portray a place that was once significant but now lacks activity or purpose. It can evoke a sense of loss or change.

Common error

Avoid using "empty landmark" when a simpler term like "unused building" suffices. Ensure the emptiness and landmark status are both relevant to the message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empty landmark" functions as a noun phrase where "empty" is an adjective modifying the noun "landmark". It serves to describe a specific type of landmark, one that is characterized by its lack of activity or occupancy. Ludwig confirms the proper usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "empty landmark" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a landmark that lacks activity or occupants. Ludwig confirms the phrase's correctness. While not overly common, it appears primarily in news and media contexts to evoke a sense of loss or highlight a contrast between past significance and present emptiness. Alternatives such as "abandoned landmark" or "vacant landmark" offer similar meanings, depending on the desired nuance. The key is to ensure its usage is appropriate and contributes to the overall message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vacant landmark

Replaces "empty" with "vacant", indicating a state of being unoccupied.

unoccupied landmark

Highlights the lack of inhabitants or users.

abandoned landmark

Substitutes "empty" with "abandoned" suggesting a state of being deserted.

hollow landmark

Emphasizes the lack of substance or significance of the landmark.

lifeless landmark

Focuses on the absence of activity and vibrancy.

desolate monument

Replaces "landmark" with "monument" and "empty" with "desolate" to emphasize abandonment.

idle landmark

Suggests that the landmark is not currently in operation or being utilized.

dormant landmark

Suggests a temporary state of inactivity, as if the landmark is sleeping.

defunct landmark

Implies that the landmark is no longer functioning or in use.

shell of a landmark

Emphasizes that only the outer structure remains, with the inner life gone.

FAQs

How can the term "empty landmark" be used in a sentence?

You can use "empty landmark" to describe a building or place that was once significant but is now unused, for example: "The old factory now stands as an "empty landmark" of a bygone industrial era".

What's a good alternative to saying "empty landmark"?

Depending on the context, you might use terms like "abandoned site", "vacant building", or "desolate monument".

Is "empty landmark" a common phrase in English?

While grammatically correct, "empty landmark" is not as common as other similar phrases like "historic site" or "abandoned building". Its usage depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "empty landmark" imply beyond just being unused?

The term "empty landmark" often suggests a sense of lost history, faded glory, or unrealized potential, implying that the place once held importance or vibrancy that is now gone.