falling empty

USAGE SUMMARY

"falling empty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something has gone wrong or has failed, usually due to a lack of resources. For example, "The charity event fell empty due to a lack of funds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Agents have to regularly bribe building security guards in return for tipping them off on which home is falling empty or who is looking to sell.

The New York Times

If he had had a notion of paradigmatic (perpetual) motion, it would have been something like wave motions in the sea or the cyclical pumping action of the traditional Chinese waterwheel used for irrigation with rising full troughs of water complemented by the falling empty troughs (receptacles), which he had used to depict the yin-yang operation of taiji.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But her words fell empty.

The Guardian - Sport

If places fall empty, that leaves a hole in its revenue budget.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their words often fall empty in a country where many insist they need guns to keep themselves safe.

The Guardian - Sport

The many houses that fell empty after German reunification in 1990 when the young and educated from what had been Communist East Germany moved out have found new owners.

The New York Times

If they fall empty, "there is a danger they will be irremediably contaminated by salt deposits," a spokeswoman in Mr. Bar-On's office said.

The New York Times

When the throne of Peter fell empty, the conservatives managed to swallow their aversion to a non-Italian pontiff and elected one for the first time since 1522.

The Guardian

In 2007 it fell empty when the branch of Filene's that it had housed since before the first world war closed.

The Guardian - Business

In an e-mail she sent to more than a half-dozen news organizations, she said there were serious questions about how the minister, who cared for the house when it fell empty in the late 1960s, came by his collection.

The New York Times - Arts

But while Vicki, who is 55, may be disposed to run for the seat when it falls empty, there will surely be reasons other than Joe getting in the way to make her pause.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "falling empty" to describe a tangible or intangible resource becoming depleted or a space becoming unoccupied. For example, use it to describe a stadium that had its fans.

Common error

Avoid using "falling empty" in overly abstract or metaphorical contexts where the sense of physical depletion or vacancy isn't relevant. Stick to scenarios where a resource is literally or figuratively diminishing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "falling empty" functions as a descriptive modifier, indicating a state of depletion or vacancy. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and contextual usage. It is often used to portray a scene or situation where something is in the process of becoming devoid of its contents or occupants.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "falling empty" is a grammatically sound phrase, albeit relatively rare in usage. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively describes a state of depletion or vacancy, often used to evoke a sense of loss or abandonment. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for a variety of descriptive contexts, particularly in news and media or scientific writings. While there is a risk of misusing it in overly abstract contexts, when used appropriately, "falling empty" can provide a vivid and impactful image.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becoming depleted

Focuses on the gradual reduction of resources or content.

becoming vacant

Highlights the state of being unoccupied or empty.

losing contents

Emphasizes the act of something being emptied.

becoming abandoned

Suggests a state of being deserted or forsaken.

being exhausted

Highlights the state of being completely used up.

becoming devoid

Emphasizes the absence of something essential.

entering decline

Focuses on the process of deterioration or decay.

running dry

Implies the exhaustion of a resource or supply.

becoming barren

Suggests a state of being unproductive or infertile.

reaching zero

Focuses on arriving at a state of nothingness.

FAQs

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

You can use "falling empty" to describe something that is losing its contents or becoming unoccupied, such as "The stadium was falling empty after the game ended" or "The promises of politicians were falling empty after the elections".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "falling empty"?

Some alternatives include "becoming depleted", "becoming vacant", or "running dry", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "falling empty" grammatically correct?

Yes, "falling empty" is grammatically correct, although its usage is relatively rare. It follows standard English grammar rules as a present participle modifying "empty".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "falling empty"?

The phrase "falling empty" is appropriate in contexts where something is actively losing its contents or occupants, or when something is becoming less meaningful or substantial. For example, use it to describe a space that once had contents and is becoming barren.