empty spot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "empty spot" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a vacant area or position, whether physically or metaphorically, such as in a schedule or a list. Example: "There is an empty spot on the shelf where I plan to place the new book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

See an empty spot?

The New York Times

"It was an empty spot on the map," Heath says.

The New Yorker

"It reminds me that there is an empty spot.

The New York Times

Mosley picked up a glove and turned it over, trying to find an empty spot.

The New Yorker

"There's going to be a very empty spot at the holiday table".

The New York Times

Chenayya saw an empty spot and wondered if he should sit down.

The New Yorker

In many restaurants, risotto is often a soggy or underdone afterthought filling out an empty spot on a main plate.

The New York Times

"I believe that an empty spot is exactly what he is," said Ms Tymoshenko, wearing her trademark braids.

Independent

The two men found an empty spot at one of the folding tables that filled the room.

The New Yorker

To install a widget on Android phone, press and hold an empty spot on one of the home screens.

The New York Times

"My trailer is right over there," she said, gesturing at an empty spot behind some train tracks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical space, use "empty spot" to create a visual image for your audience, helping them to imagine the scene more clearly. For instance, "He noticed an empty spot on the crowded train and quickly sat down."

Common error

While "empty spot" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in formal or professional writing. Opt for alternatives like "vacancy", "opening", or "unoccupied space" to maintain a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empty spot" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where it acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a location that lacks occupancy or content.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "empty spot" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a vacant area or position. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that it is most frequently encountered in news and media, as well as wiki-style content, with a neutral register making it suitable for a variety of writing contexts. While widely accepted, formal contexts may benefit from more sophisticated synonyms like "vacancy" or "unoccupied space". The wealth of examples shows that this phrase is highly useful and correctly applied in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vacant location

Focuses on the lack of occupancy in a specific place.

unfilled position

Emphasizes the absence of someone holding a particular role or job.

open space

Highlights the availability of an area or region.

available slot

Indicates a free time or opportunity.

blank area

Suggests a portion that is devoid of content or markings.

unused space

Focuses on the potential for utilizing an area not currently in use.

free slot

Highlights the absence of any scheduled activity or engagements

vacant slot

Highlights an available time or space.

missing piece

Focuses on the absence of an item needed to complete something.

unoccupied position

Focuses on a space that is not being used

FAQs

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

You can use "empty spot" to describe a vacant area or position. For example, "There's an empty spot on the shelf where the book should go" or "The team is looking to fill the empty spot left by the departing employee".

What are some alternatives to "empty spot"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "vacant space", "open area", or "unfilled position".

Is "empty spot" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "empty spot" may sound informal in certain contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives such as "vacancy" or "unoccupied position" in professional or academic writing.

What's the difference between "empty spot" and "vacant space"?

"Empty spot" and "vacant space" are often interchangeable, but "empty spot" can sometimes imply a specific location within a larger area, whereas "vacant space" might refer to a larger area that is entirely unoccupied.