has been empty for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been empty for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing the length of time that something has been in a state of emptiness or inaction. For example, "The house has been empty for five months since its former occupants moved away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It has been empty for 55 years.

The New York Times

"That place has been empty for a long time".

The New York Times

But it has been empty for most of that time.

The New York Times

It has been empty for four or five years.

The New York Times

"This stadium has been empty for years," he said.

The New York Times

"This lot has been empty for 10 years," he said.

The New York Times

The ambassador's post has been empty for some time.

The New York Times

But it has been empty for the last few years.

The New York Times

The Curb building has been empty for some time, and its future is not clear.

The New York Times

Aside from a few temporary exhibits, the plinth has been empty for 163 years.

The Economist

It's "the worst house in a good street" and has been empty for years.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been empty for", ensure the subject is clearly defined and the duration is specified accurately to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "has been empty for" when describing something that is partially filled or used. The phrase implies complete vacancy or inactivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been empty for" functions as a temporal prepositional phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the duration of a state of emptiness. The Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been empty for" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote the duration of a state of vacancy. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct for use in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, this phrase serves to inform the reader of the period that a location or position has remained unoccupied. While versatile, it is crucial to ensure accuracy in specifying the duration and clarity in defining the subject to which the phrase applies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has remained vacant for

Replaces "empty" with "vacant", emphasizing the lack of occupants.

has been unoccupied for

Substitutes "empty" with "unoccupied", highlighting the absence of residents or users.

has been unused for

Replaces "empty" with "unused", focusing on the lack of utilization.

has stood vacant for

Uses "stood vacant" instead of "been empty", adding a sense of duration and stillness.

has lacked occupancy for

Emphasizes the absence of occupancy over a period.

has been deserted for

Replaces "empty" with "deserted", suggesting abandonment and desolation.

has not been in use for

Focuses on the absence of active usage rather than just emptiness.

has been devoid of activity for

Highlights the lack of activity within the space.

has gone without tenants for

Specifically refers to the absence of tenants in a rental property.

has been out of service for

Suggests the space is not functioning or available for use.

FAQs

How can I use "has been empty for" in a sentence?

You can use "has been empty for" to describe how long a place or position has been vacant. For example, "The office "has been empty for" three years."

What are some alternatives to saying "has been empty for"?

Alternatives include phrases like "has remained vacant for", "has been unoccupied for", or "has been unused for", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "has been empty for"?

Yes, "has been empty for" is grammatically correct. It uses the present perfect tense to describe a state that began in the past and continues to the present.

What's the difference between "has been empty for" and "was empty for"?

"Has been empty for" implies the state of emptiness continues to the present, while "was empty for" suggests the emptiness existed only in the past and may no longer be the case.