feeling a void

USAGE SUMMARY

"feeling a void" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express a sense of emptiness or loss, often in an emotional context. Example: After the breakup, she found herself feeling a void that was hard to fill. Alternative expressions include "experiencing emptiness" and "sensing a lack."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Some chose to return to tradition after feeling a void in the heart," he said.

The New Yorker

Despite the freedom, the theater community is feeling a void, a lack of definition.

The New York Times

What would you say to someone who may not have an official faith they affiliate with, but are feeling a void or are seeking larger meaning in their life but just don't know where to start or what path is right for them?

Huffington Post

Feeling a void, Hill decided to try out for the football team this year.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Someone grieving six months or six years out, they won't stop feeling a certain longing, a yearning, an emptiness, a void, a hole.

The Washington Post

If all the children have flown the nest and your parents are feeling a little "empty" they may think that staying in touch (constantly) through texting will fill any void they are feeling.

WikiHow

The tone of doom was lightened by the diction of the everyday: seeing in Istanbul the emptiness of Hagia Sophia (which has passed from cathedral to mosque to "flame- / less void"), and feeling an interior resemblance between his own mind and the cathedral's "transcendental skull," he remarks dryly to himself: You'd let go  Learning and faith as well, you too had wrecked  Your precious sensibility.

The New Yorker

We use media in an attempt to cover over the painful feelings inside us, to fill up the feeling of a void in our lives.

HuffPost

If you're filling a void, maybe feeling trapped and alone in home or at school or work, or crave the attention, consult a professional therapist for help overcoming these issues.

WikiHow

Surely the novelist's unique skill is that he/she has the imagination to conjure people, events, feelings from a void.

The Guardian - Books

There was anguish during the second world war, intermittent depression, stretches of feeling artistically void.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feeling a void" to describe an emotional state where something essential is missing, but be mindful of the context. Ensure it aligns with the tone and doesn't sound melodramatic.

Common error

Avoid using "feeling a void" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler expressions like "feeling sad" or "missing something" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling a void" functions as a verb phrase, with "feeling" acting as a present participle modifying "void". It describes an emotional state or experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's generally grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feeling a void" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a sense of emptiness or loss. While Ludwig examples show it's not extremely common, it's readily understood and usable, primarily in news and media contexts. For alternative expressions, consider "experiencing emptiness" or "sensing a lack". Be mindful of overusing it in informal settings. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally grammatically correct and is suitable for expressing introspective emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experiencing emptiness

Focuses on the sensation of emptiness itself.

sensing a lack

Highlights the perception of something missing.

suffering from a sense of loss

Emphasizes the pain associated with the void.

grappling with feelings of emptiness

Conveys a struggle to deal with the emotional void.

struggling with a sense of incompleteness

Highlights the lack of wholeness.

experiencing a sense of detachment

Emphasizes the feeling of being disconnected.

noticing an absence

Draws attention to the missing element.

detecting a hollowness

Focuses on the internal feeling of hollowness.

becoming aware of an emptiness

Highlights the realization of the void.

facing a sense of desolation

Emphasizes the feeling of being alone and empty.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone is "feeling a void"?

When someone is "feeling a void", it means they are experiencing a sense of emptiness, loss, or incompleteness, often in an emotional or spiritual sense.

What are some alternative ways to express "feeling a void"?

You can use alternatives like "experiencing emptiness", "sensing a lack", or "suffering from a sense of loss" to convey a similar meaning.

How can I use "feeling a void" in a sentence?

You might say, "After her children left home, she started "feeling a void" in her life" or "He was "feeling a void" that he couldn't quite explain after leaving his job".

Is it more appropriate to say "feeling a void" or "having a void"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "feeling a void" emphasizes the emotional experience, while "having a void" focuses more on the state of emptiness itself. The better choice depends on the specific context.