empty load

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'empty load' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is not carrying any items, such as a truck transporting nothing, or a plan that has no tangible outcome. For example, "The truck pulled up to the store, but it was an empty load."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Transportation optimization usually aims at minimizing the empty load ratios (ELRs) of vehicles.

Decision Support Systems

The coefficient of the modified transitive relation is unaffected by operating area, empty load, heavy load, or other conditions in the operating process of the intercity EMU.

Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering

Just do an empty load (water only) with a touch of bleach to kill any bacteria.

WikiHow

If you have small children and "accidents" are common you should do an empty load with a touch of bleach before cleaning your greens.

WikiHow

to avoid soaps and bacteria from the washing machine, you can run your machine through the rinse cycle before starting the washing process or do an empty load with hot water.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The first glimpse of the newspaper is an empty loading dock where old-timers gather to smoke and gossip about expected buyouts and layoffs.

The New York Times - Arts

Then, after skipping over a steeplechase of pipes and striding past empty loading bays, he pointed out the film's fleet of thirty-year-old "Standard Oil" trucks, snub-nosed tankers he'd painted hunter green.

The New Yorker

Solving visibility problems, over capacity, empty loads and bad bookings may need a kick start of a very real commitment to the collaborative process, and this means being open to working with other entities.

Forbes

The problem consists of designing "good" daily truck schedules over a set of previously defined collection trips, on which the trucks collect solid waste in fixed routes and empty loads in one of several operational recycling facilities in the system.

Omega

These analyses are conducted when traveling empty, loading and unloading, when partially and fully loaded, and under conditions of temporary overloading.

Wikipedia

This result is consistent with those reviewed by Page et al. [25] that also show differences between bees returning with empty loads and those that carry pollen.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing transportation logistics, use "empty load" to highlight inefficiencies and the need for optimization. For example, address strategies to reduce "empty load" ratios in trucking.

Common error

Avoid using "empty load" when you simply mean something is 'unoccupied' or 'vacant'. The term usually implies a missed opportunity for carrying something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empty load" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a sentence. It refers to a vehicle or container that is not carrying any goods or cargo. Ludwig provides examples in transportation, logistics and chemistry sectors.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "empty load" is a grammatically sound noun phrase primarily used to describe a state where a vehicle or container is without cargo. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its occurrence is relatively rare. The term appears across various contexts including Science, News & Media, and Wiki sources, suggesting a register that ranges from neutral to professional. When using "empty load", consider its implications of inefficiency and missed opportunities, especially in sectors like transportation and logistics. Alternatives such as "unloaded cargo" or "deadhead trip" may offer more specific or formal nuances depending on the desired context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unloaded cargo

Focuses on the state of being without cargo after unloading, highlighting the action of removing goods.

cargo-free shipment

Emphasizes that the shipment does not contain any cargo; a more formal way of expressing the idea.

unfilled container

Highlights the lack of contents within a container, useful in shipping and logistics contexts.

zero payload

A technical term indicating no useful weight being carried, common in engineering and transportation.

deadhead trip

Specifically refers to a transportation journey without a paying load, often used in trucking.

empty run

Describes a trip made with no cargo, emphasizing the action of running or traveling.

unladen journey

A more formal way to describe a trip without a load, suitable for official reports or documents.

without contents

Simply describes the state of not having any contents, applicable to various contexts beyond transportation.

bare conveyance

Highlights that the conveyance (vehicle) is without any load; implies the vehicle is in transit.

idle transport

Suggests the transport is inactive or unproductive due to the absence of a load.

FAQs

How can I use "empty load" in a sentence about transportation?

You can say, "The transportation company is trying to minimize the number of trips with an "empty load" to improve efficiency."

What's a more technical term for "empty load" in logistics?

A more technical term is "deadhead trip", which specifically refers to a transport journey made without any paying cargo.

Is it appropriate to use "empty load" in formal writing?

Yes, "empty load" is acceptable in formal writing, especially when discussing logistics, transportation, or efficiency. However, consider alternatives like "unladen journey" for increased formality.

What are the implications of having too many "empty loads" in a supply chain?

Too many "empty loads" in a supply chain indicate inefficiencies, increased costs, and a negative impact on sustainability due to wasted fuel and resources. Addressing this requires strategies to optimize "cargo-free shipment".