empty slot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "empty slot" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a position or situation that has yet to be filled or defined. For example, "There is still an empty slot in the interviewing schedule for next Thursday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He automatically moved up to fill the empty slot when Mr. Bush left.

The New York Times

You could always stick 8GB of memory into the empty slot to bring the RAM up to 12GB.

The Guardian - Tech

Mendeleyev predicted the existence of element 87 because his periodic table had an empty slot for it.

The Guardian

Users can access online play through the game menu or by selecting the fourth (currently empty) slot in the game's character selection wheel.

Independent

The main memory (shared with the integrated graphics) has stuck at 1GB, though there's an empty slot so it can easily be expanded to 2GB.

The Guardian - Tech

The American psych-pop band backed out of Florida's SunFest at the last minute, leaving an empty slot in last night's lineup.

The Guardian - Music

The Bush administration wants to appoint Mr. Mineta to an empty slot on the board, but cannot until Mr. Thompson leaves.

The New York Times

The director, Richard Gabai, goes in for mood lighting (scenes range from autumnal to nearly pitch black), not to mention dripping faucets and the classic knife block with one empty slot.

The New York Times

Each time a label closes, it allows another new designer to take the empty slot on the fashion show schedule, and then go through the same cycle of boom and bust.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This week, after they struggled for seven years to find studio time and an empty slot on their labels' schedules, the album, "All the Roadrunning" (Warner Brothers/Nonesuch), is being released.

The New York Times - Arts

This season, though, the Met found itself with an empty slot in its calendar when the soprano Mirella Freni pulled out of what was to be her farewell North American concert.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to an available position or space, use "empty slot" to clearly indicate that something is yet to be filled. It's suitable for various contexts, from technical specifications to scheduling.

Common error

Be mindful of the context. While "empty slot" is generally understood, ensure that the image evoked doesn't clash with the intended meaning. For example, in highly formal business communications, "vacant position" might be preferable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empty slot" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It refers to a vacant or unoccupied position or space, as Ludwig illustrates across various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

48%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "empty slot" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a vacant position, space, or time. Ludwig AI shows it's used across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific publications and wikis. While generally neutral in tone, consider alternatives like "vacant position" or "available space" for more formal settings. As showed in Ludwig, understanding its specific connotations is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vacant position

Emphasizes the availability of a job or role.

blank space

Indicates that there is a portion that has to be filled in a document or other context

available space

Focuses on the physical or abstract space that is free.

unfilled opening

Highlights that a position or opportunity remains to be occupied.

unoccupied space

Describes an area that is not currently being used.

free spot

Suggests a casual and readily available place.

open vacancy

Indicates a formal announcement of a job opening.

unused allocation

Refers to a portion that has not been assigned or utilized.

gap

Simply states that something is missing or lacking.

void

Implies a significant absence or emptiness.

FAQs

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

You can use "empty slot" to describe a vacant position, an available space in a schedule, or an unused location in a system. For instance, "We have an "unfilled opening" on the team" or "There's an "empty slot" in the server for a new memory module".

What are some alternatives to "empty slot"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "vacant position", "available space", or "unfilled opening". Each carries slightly different connotations.

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

While generally acceptable, "empty slot" might be considered less formal than alternatives like "vacant position" or "open vacancy", especially in business or academic contexts.

What does "empty slot" mean in a technical context?

In a technical context, "empty slot" often refers to an available space for hardware components, like RAM or expansion cards, or an unused time interval in a communication protocol.