has stood empty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has stood empty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a place or building that has not been occupied for a period of time. Example: "The old factory has stood empty for years, gathering dust and memories of its past."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Most of it has stood empty since The Times moved out in 2007.

The New York Times

Among other recent projects is a yachting marina that has stood empty because of its exposure to rough seas.

The New York Times

For too long, Governors Island has stood empty in New York Harbor, a forlorn monument to governmental indecision.

The New York Times

But since June it has stood empty, as parliament has not passed the legislation necessary to create the agency.Without a stable government, Serbia will suffer.

The Economist

The house was finished in 1938 and has stood empty for the past seven years, a modernist masterpiece in a state of near-ruin.

The New Yorker

But the Way We Were museum, featuring a Victorian schoolroom and colliery, closed in 2007 and has stood empty ever since.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Entire streets of houses have stood empty for years, their windows and doors "tinned up" with metal sheets.

The New York Times - Arts

A Queens-based developer, George Fakiris, renovated 316 units in four low-rise buildings that had stood empty for two decades.

The New York Times

Racing cars were also observed in them during the 1990s, but in recent years, these listed buildings have stood empty.

The Guardian - Arts

This place" – he waved his hand at the graffiti-riddled monstrosity behind him – "was the Delta Cotton and Grocery Company, which had stood empty for 30 years.

Independent

Eventually he found them in the Blackfriars estate and Irwell House, which had stood empty for years except for a car repair shop on the first floor.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a building or space, use "has stood empty" to emphasize the duration of its vacancy and any associated decay or neglect.

Common error

Avoid using "has stood empty" when referring to abstract concepts or situations that cannot physically 'stand'. For example, don't say "The idea has stood empty" use "The idea has not been developed" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has stood empty" functions as a descriptive verb phrase indicating a state of prolonged vacancy. It typically modifies a noun (e.g., building, house, land) to convey that it has been unoccupied for a notable period, as Ludwig examples show.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has stood empty" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a place or building that has been unoccupied for some time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a descriptive verb phrase with neutral formality, frequently used in news and media to convey a sense of prolonged vacancy and potential disuse. While alternatives like "has remained vacant" or "has been unoccupied" exist, "has stood empty" effectively communicates the duration and condition of the space in question. When you want to emphasize the period of time that something has been vacant, this is a suitable and expressive option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has remained vacant

Replaces "stood" with "remained" and "empty" with "vacant", both suggesting a continued state of being unoccupied.

has not been occupied

A more formal and direct way of stating that a space is not in use.

has been unoccupied

Uses the passive voice to emphasize the lack of occupancy.

has been left vacant

Highlights the action of leaving the space unoccupied.

has been uninhabited

Focuses on the lack of people living in a place.

has been deserted

Implies abandonment, suggesting a more negative or forlorn state.

has lacked occupants

Emphasizes the absence of people or entities.

has lain unused

Shifts the focus to the lack of use rather than occupancy.

has been dormant

Suggests a temporary state of inactivity, possibly implying future use.

has idled

Suggests that the entity is not working or being actively used.

FAQs

How can I use "has stood empty" in a sentence?

You can use "has stood empty" to describe a building or place that has not been occupied for a period, such as: "The old factory "has stood empty" for years."

What can I say instead of "has stood empty"?

Alternatives include "has remained vacant", "has been unoccupied", or "has been deserted" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "has stood empty" or "is standing empty"?

"Has stood empty" implies a state that has persisted over time, while "is standing empty" suggests a current, possibly temporary condition. The former is better for long-term vacancy.

What's the difference between "has stood empty" and "was left empty"?

"Has stood empty" focuses on the duration of vacancy, while "was left empty" emphasizes the action of something being vacated. For example, "The house "has stood empty" for a decade" versus "The house "was left empty" after the family moved."