had been empty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been empty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being unoccupied or lacking content in the past, often in relation to a specific time frame. Example: "When I returned home after the trip, I noticed that the refrigerator had been empty for days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"It had been empty for a while.

The New York Times

They had been empty for four days.

The New York Times

Her glass, for most of that time, had been empty.

The New Yorker

Her house had been empty since she went into Cromwell's.

The Guardian - Books

The floor, it turned out, had been empty.

The New York Times

The house had been empty for a year, from the time of their godmother Vivien's death.

The New Yorker

But because it had been empty for some time, it was in bad shape.

The New York Times

Before the rebels moved into the building on Tuesday, he said, it had been empty.

The New York Times

Merchants in other buildings said the apartments above their stores had been empty for 20 years.

The New York Times

We asked for gas, only to be told that the pump had been empty for years.

The New York Times - Travel

He could tell: something about the cold — the house had been empty for hours.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been empty" to describe a state of prior emptiness, especially when contrasting it with a current state of being occupied or filled. For example, "The theater had been empty for years, but now it's showing new movies every week".

Common error

Avoid using "had been empty" when you simply need to state that something is currently empty. "Had been empty" implies a change in state, not a current condition. For example, do not use "The glass had been empty" if you simply mean "The glass is empty".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been empty" functions as a past perfect passive construction, describing a state of being unoccupied or lacking content prior to a specific point in the past. Ludwig confirms this phrase's grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been empty" is a grammatically correct and very common way to describe a state of prior vacancy, as validated by Ludwig. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it effectively provides context by indicating a past condition that has since changed. When writing, remember that using "had been empty" correctly implies a shift from an empty state, unlike simply stating something "is empty". Ludwig's examples confirm the phrase's versatility and appropriateness across many contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had no occupants

Directly states the absence of people living or staying in a place.

was previously unoccupied

Focuses on the state of being unoccupied at an earlier time, placing emphasis on a prior condition.

had not been filled

Emphasizes that something was not populated or occupied.

had remained vacant

Highlights the continuous state of being vacant up to a certain point in the past.

had stood deserted

Implies abandonment and a lack of inhabitants over a period of time.

had been evacuated

Highlights the act of vacating the area. Implies that people had left.

had lacked contents

Emphasizes the absence of contents, suitable for describing containers or spaces.

was devoid of

Highlights the lack of something specific, such as life or activity, in a location or object.

had seen no use

Indicates a lack of utilization or activity, appropriate for facilities or equipment.

had been cleared

Suggests that items or people were removed, leaving it empty.

FAQs

How can I use "had been empty" in a sentence?

Use "had been empty" to describe something that was previously unoccupied or lacking content but is no longer in that state. For example, "The house "had been empty" for years before they renovated it".

What's a formal alternative to "had been empty"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "previously unoccupied" or "remained vacant" to convey a similar meaning with a more elevated tone.

Is it correct to say "was empty" instead of "had been empty"?

It depends on the context. "Was empty" describes a state at a specific point in the past. "Had been empty" describes a state that existed before another point in the past, implying a change or duration. For instance, "The room was empty when I checked" vs. "The room "had been empty" for hours before I arrived".

What does "had been empty" imply about the current state?

"Had been empty" suggests that the subject is no longer empty. If the subject is still empty, you should use "is empty" or "was empty", depending on whether you're referring to the present or past.