empty up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "empty up" is not correct and not commonly used in written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of making something empty, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "Please empty up the trash can before the cleaning crew arrives."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

At the port of Kribi, the 660-mile pipeline will empty up to 250,000 barrels a day of coveted crude into tankers waiting to transport the unctuous black gold to Western markets.

The New York Times - Arts

Looking toward the sky, she said, "I guess it does kind of seem a little empty up there".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Black diamond OD660; black square glucose; empty square xylose; empty up-pointing triangle ethanol; and error marks xylitol.

AMB Express

Police have said there was no sign of forced entry to the building in central London where burglars emptied up to 70 safety deposit boxes.

BBC

Burglars broke into a high-value vault in central London and emptied up to 70 safety deposit boxes by climbing down the lift shaft, Scotland Yard said.

BBC

The streets of central London are empty while up at the Olympic Park happy crowds throng.

The New York Times

Each unit weighs 200 pounds when empty, but up to 600 pounds when full.

The New York Times - Sports

See you at Home," says a sign on the empty, boarded up Cornerhouse in Manchester.

The Guardian

It protects unscrupulous landlords and property speculators who are keeping properties empty to up their profits.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They asked me could I pick an empty box up," he says.

BBC

Outside my bedroom window today, I see an empty, boarded-up house.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "empty up" in formal writing; instead, opt for more standard phrases like "empty out" or "clear out" to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Using "empty up" can sound unnatural. Choose a more precise verb like "empty", "clear", or "unload" followed by an appropriate preposition if needed to enhance readability and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empty up" functions as a phrasal verb, attempting to describe the action of making something empty. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this phrasing is not standard and is generally considered grammatically questionable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "empty up" might seem like a logical combination of words to indicate making something empty, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect and rarely used in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrasing is non-standard. Instead, more appropriate and commonly accepted alternatives include "empty out", "clear out", or simply "empty". When writing, opting for these alternatives will ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. The infrequent and questionable nature of "empty up" makes it advisable to avoid in formal or professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empty out

A more common and grammatically standard alternative to "empty up".

clear out

Implies removing contents completely, often with a sense of tidying or cleaning.

unload

Suggests removing a load or contents from something, often a vehicle or container.

discharge

Often used in a technical or scientific context to describe the release of contents.

drain

Specifically refers to removing liquid contents.

void

Implies making something completely empty and null.

evacuate

Often used when something needs to be emptied in an emergency situation or with urgency.

deplete

Suggests using up or exhausting the contents of something gradually.

exhaust

Similar to deplete, but can also imply complete removal or use.

vacate

Primarily refers to leaving a place empty, but can sometimes extend to objects.

FAQs

Is "empty up" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "empty up" is not considered correct and is rarely used in written English. More accepted alternatives include "empty out" or "clear out".

What does "empty up" mean?

While the intended meaning is to make something empty, the phrasing is awkward and unclear. It's better to use phrases that clearly convey the action of making something empty, such as "empty out".

Which is correct, "empty up" or "empty out"?

"Empty out" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "Empty up" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. For example, say "Please "empty out" the trash can" instead of "Please empty up the trash can".

What are some alternatives to "empty up"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "clear out", "unload", or simply "empty" to convey the meaning of making something empty.