feeling empty

USAGE SUMMARY

"feeling empty" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a sense of emotional void or lack of fulfillment. Example: "After the breakup, I found myself feeling empty and lost." Alternative expressions include "feeling hollow" and "feeling vacant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The house also began feeling empty.

The New York Times

Jeff Koons leaves me feeling empty.

The Guardian - Arts

I'd grown up among stuff, but feeling empty inside.

The Washington Post

After all, he can remember when playing golf left him feeling empty.

The New York Times - Sports

Why do career "wins" often leave people feeling empty and dissatisfied?

Harvard Business Review

They did not leave me feeling empty, because they are not empty.

The New Yorker

With the morning suddenly feeling empty, prepare yourself a gorgeous breakfast featuring avocados.

The Times

A candle flickers on a cube-shaped glass coffee table as we sit feeling empty.

The Washington Post

Those were the players I grew up watching, and today's game leaves me feeling empty.

The New York Times

They left him, he concludes, "feeling empty, miserably detached from the past I hoped to encounter".

The New York Times - Books

"If parents know their child is feeling empty and is in danger, they will make a decision".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feeling empty" to describe a temporary state, consider adding context to explain the cause, such as "feeling empty after the project ended".

Common error

While acceptable, "feeling empty" can sound informal or melodramatic in professional contexts. Opt for more precise and objective language like "experiencing a lack of fulfillment" or "reporting low engagement" in business or academic settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling empty" primarily functions as a subjective description, expressing an emotional state or a personal experience of lacking fulfillment or substance. Ludwig examples show its versatile use across different contexts, often reflecting a sense of loss or dissatisfaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feeling empty" is a commonly used phrase to describe an emotional state of void or lack of fulfillment. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, especially in news and media. While generally acceptable, consider using more precise language in formal settings. When writing, be mindful of the emotional weight of the phrase and use it to effectively convey the intended sentiment. The phrase has a neutral register and a very common frequency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling hollow

Emphasizes the internal void or lack of substance.

feeling vacant

Highlights a lack of mental or emotional activity.

feeling devoid

Stresses the absence of something essential or desirable.

feeling unfulfilled

Focuses on the lack of satisfaction or achievement.

feeling incomplete

Suggests that something necessary is missing, leaving a sense of being unfinished.

feeling detached

Implies a sense of disconnection or alienation from oneself or others.

feeling numb

Describes a lack of emotional feeling or responsiveness.

feeling listless

Indicates a lack of energy or enthusiasm.

feeling desolate

Conveys a sense of loneliness and abandonment.

feeling barren

Emphasizes a lack of productivity or emotional richness.

FAQs

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

You can use "feeling empty" to describe a state of emotional or spiritual void. For example, "After the event, I was "feeling empty" and lost."

What can I say instead of "feeling empty"?

Alternatives include "feeling hollow", "feeling vacant", or "feeling unfulfilled", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "feeling empty" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, in academic writing, it may be better to use more precise and objective language to describe the emotion. Try "experiencing a lack of fulfillment" instead.

What's the difference between "feeling empty" and "feeling lonely"?

"Feeling empty" refers to an internal void or lack of emotional substance, whereas "feeling lonely" describes a sense of isolation and a desire for connection with others. You can be "feeling empty" even when surrounded by people, while loneliness is specifically about the absence of meaningful relationships.