empty sign

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "empty sign" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing symbolism, meaning, or communication where something lacks substance or significance. Example: "In the context of modern art, the empty sign often represents the absence of meaning in a consumer-driven society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"This pure — virtually empty — sign — is ineluctable, because it means everything".

The New York Times

It's as if the math is just some kind of empty sign that indicates that we're talking about intelligence.

The New York Times

"This pure — virtually empty — sign is ineluctable because it means everything," he wrote in a celebrated essay published in 1957.

The New York Times

What the Frenchman said of the Eiffel Tower (it is a "virtually empty" sign that therefore "means everything"), Conrad argues is true also of the Shard in London.

The Guardian - Books

During our audits we observed empty sign holders especially on window fronts that had once displayed tobacco advertisements.

BMC Public Health

This reduced the number of edges across all three networks to 58, with a notably empty "sign change" network.

BMC Medical Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

So the substring s1 s2... s k is a (possibly empty) signed permutation of the integers that are greater than a and less than b; a and b are the frame elements, while those of s1... s k are trunk elements if they are not trunk elements of a smaller FCI.

Algorithms for Molecular Biology

In the empty house, I signed up for telephone service.

The New Yorker

In the first two weeks, the "empty delta sign" may be observed (in later stages, this sign may disappear).

Wikipedia

In the embassy's consular section, waiting rooms with chairs for dozens of people lay eerily empty, a sign of what American officials say has been a precipitous decline in Saudi visa applications since the Sept. 11 attacks.

The New York Times

But 27 of its seats remain empty, a sign of the territory lost since the revolution – Crimea annexed by Russia, and parts of the east under the control of Moscow-backed separatists.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "empty sign", consider whether a more specific term might better convey the intended meaning. For example, in a medical context, "empty delta sign" has a specific meaning that "empty sign" alone would not convey.

Common error

Avoid using "empty sign" as a direct synonym for other related terms like "empty gesture" or "empty promise". While related, these terms carry nuances that "empty sign" might not capture. Make sure the term reflects a symbol or indication lacking substance, rather than an action or commitment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empty sign" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object. It describes something that, while appearing to signify something, lacks inherent meaning or substance. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in diverse contexts, from architecture to mathematics.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "empty sign" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe something that appears to have significance but lacks genuine meaning or substance. As confirmed by Ludwig, it frequently appears in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While it's not extremely common, its usage is appropriate when highlighting a lack of content behind an apparent symbol. Be mindful to differentiate it from related terms like "empty gesture" to avoid misinterpretations. Consider more specific terms if the general phrase doesn't fully capture the meaning in context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meaningless symbol

Replaces "sign" with "symbol", emphasizing the lack of inherent meaning.

vacant indication

Substitutes "empty" with "vacant" and "sign" with "indication", highlighting the state of being unoccupied or devoid of content.

hollow representation

Emphasizes the lack of substance or genuineness in the representation.

blank marker

Replaces "sign" with "marker", indicating something that lacks information.

void emblem

Substitutes "empty" with "void" and "sign" with "emblem", suggesting a complete absence of content or significance.

insignificant token

Focuses on the lack of importance or value of the sign.

unfilled signal

Highlights that the signal lacks the necessary information or content.

devoid of meaning

Expresses the absence of meaning, changing the structure of the phrase.

lacking significance

Focuses on the absence of importance or consequence.

unsubstantial indication

Emphasizes the lack of concrete substance or reality behind the indication.

FAQs

How can "empty sign" be used in a sentence?

You can use "empty sign" to describe something that appears to convey meaning but lacks substance, such as "The abandoned building with the broken windows was an "empty sign" of economic decline."

What is an alternative to using "empty sign"?

Alternatives include "meaningless symbol", "vacant indication", or "hollow representation", depending on the specific context. The "meaningless symbol" emphasizes lack of inherent significance.

Is there a difference between "empty sign" and "blank sign"?

Yes, while both suggest a lack of content, "empty sign" implies a lack of inherent meaning or substance, whereas "blank sign" simply means there is nothing written or displayed on it.

In what contexts is the term "empty sign" most appropriately used?

"Empty sign" is appropriately used in contexts where symbolism, semiotics, or interpretation are discussed, particularly when describing something that purports to have meaning but ultimately lacks it. It can also be used in medical contexts such as the "empty delta sign".