empty the house

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "empty the house" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of removing all items or occupants from a house, often in preparation for a sale, renovation, or moving. Example: "Before we put the house on the market, we need to empty the house of all personal belongings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

With pressure building from the parks department, Ms. DeFillo had to empty the house.

The New York Times

Sall knew I was keen, of course: Caroline had always been Daddy's little girl, and, ever since she'd left, it had been an effort to hide how empty the house felt without her — an effort I'd sometimes failed to make.

The New Yorker

–if not empty, the house will be staged – look for decoration that is too perfect (a tray arranged artfully on the bed with an open book and reading glasses) –crown molding –new appliances –the words "travertine" or "granite counter tops".

The New York Times

Cora reveals she has been evicted from her home because her neighbour has an ASBO, but when Cora, Tanya and Rainie return there to empty the house, the neighbour reveals that Cora is the one with the ASBO.

Wikipedia

After stepping on the umpteenth car with my bare feet and silently wish the toys were gone, I immediately take that thought back and cry over how empty the house will look one day when the toys are all gone.

Huffington Post

Don't completely empty the house.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The narrow mud lanes are empty, the houses abandoned.

BBC

By teatime you should have emptied the house.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That night the sheriff arrived with some movers, who emptied the house onto the lawn.

The New Yorker

They came by the sea one night and emptied the house".

The New York Times - Magazine

The family largely emptied the house after Mrs. Roosevelt's death, and the Park Service has been recreating her décor.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "empty the house" in writing, consider the context. Is it a physical emptying of belongings, or a more figurative sense of removing people or memories? Choose the phrasing that best conveys the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "empty the house" when you only intend to describe tidying up or minor cleaning. The phrase implies a complete removal of contents or occupants.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empty the house" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of removing all contents or occupants from a house. As shown in Ludwig, the phrase can be used literally or figuratively to describe the action of rendering a house devoid of its usual contents.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "empty the house" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes the act of clearing out a residence, both literally and figuratively. Ludwig confirms its correctness and prevalence across different contexts. While relatively neutral in tone, its precise meaning depends heavily on the specific situation. Related phrases include "clear out the house" and "vacate the house", each with slightly different connotations. When using this phrase, be mindful of the scope and ensure it accurately reflects the degree to which the house is being cleared. The phrase finds common usage in news media and general writing, though it can appear in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clear out the house

Replaces "empty" with "clear out", emphasizing the removal of contents.

vacate the house

Focuses on leaving the house unoccupied.

clear the residence

Uses a more formal term for "house".

remove everything from the house

Specifies the action of taking all items out.

strip the house bare

Emphasizes the thoroughness of emptying the house.

gut the house

Suggests a complete removal of the interior contents.

declutter the house

Focuses on removing unnecessary items.

move out all contents

Highlights the act of moving possessions outside the house.

completely empty the dwelling

Replaces "house" with "dwelling" and adds emphasis with "completely".

evacuate the premises

Emphasizes leaving the house, often in an emergency.

FAQs

How can I use "empty the house" in a sentence?

You can use "empty the house" to describe physically removing items, for example: "They had to "empty the house" before the demolition crew arrived." Or, metaphorically: "The news seemed to "empty the house" of all joy and laughter."

What can I say instead of "empty the house"?

You can use alternatives like "clear out the house", "vacate the house", or "remove everything from the house" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "empty out the house" instead of "empty the house"?

While "empty the house" is more direct, "empty out the house" is also acceptable, though slightly less formal. Both convey the same basic meaning of removing contents.

What is the difference between "empty the house" and "stage the house"?

"Empty the house" means to remove all contents, while "stage the house" means to arrange furniture and decor to make it more appealing to potential buyers. They are nearly opposite actions.