house was empty

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "The house was empty" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you might use this sentence in a narrative to describe a particular scene: "He opened the door and was surprised to find the house was empty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Ma's house was empty.

The New Yorker

The house was empty.

The New Yorker

But the house was empty.

The New York Times - Magazine

Finally, the house was empty.

The New York Times

Surprisingly, his neighbor's house was empty.

The New Yorker

One house was empty; the other wasn't.

The New Yorker

The house was empty and trashed.

The New York Times

But the house was empty now.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

It was lunchtime and Lohia House was emptying.

Forbes

The house was emptied, and the chickens (n = 28,235) were slaughtered on July 29 , 2003

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The house is empty now.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scene, use "The house was empty" to create a sense of mystery or foreboding. Follow it with details to enhance the mood, such as "The silence was deafening" or "Dust lay thick on the furniture".

Common error

Avoid constructions like "It was known that the house was empty." Instead, opt for a more direct and active voice: "Everyone knew the house was empty." This makes the sentence more concise and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "house was empty" typically functions as a descriptive statement. It asserts a state of being, indicating that the house is unoccupied. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase. It often serves as a setup for further narrative development, setting the scene or creating suspense.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "house was empty" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe an unoccupied dwelling. As Ludwig AI validates, it serves primarily as a descriptive statement, commonly found in neutral register contexts such as News & Media. While alternatives like "house stood vacant" or "residence was unoccupied" exist, the original phrase remains a straightforward and widely understood way to convey the absence of occupants. When writing, use it to set a scene, but avoid overusing passive voice for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

house stood vacant

Changes the verb and uses a synonym for empty, emphasizing the state of being unoccupied.

residence was unoccupied

Replaces "house" with a more formal term and uses a synonym for empty.

dwelling was deserted

Uses a different noun and adjective to convey a sense of abandonment.

building was vacant

Broader term than house, referring to any building.

home was uninhabited

Emphasizes the lack of residents.

property was clear

Indicates the absence of people or objects on the property.

premises were empty

Uses a more formal term for the area of the house

there was nobody home

A more idiomatic way of expressing that the house is unoccupied

the lights were off

While not directly stating emptiness, it suggests the house is unoccupied.

the place was deserted

Informal equivalent with the same basic meaning

FAQs

How can I use "house was empty" in a sentence?

You can use "house was empty" to describe a situation where a house is unoccupied, such as: "When we arrived, the "house was empty", and a chill ran down my spine."

What are some alternatives to saying "house was empty"?

Alternatives include phrases like "house stood vacant", "residence was unoccupied", or "dwelling was deserted", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the house was emptied"?

While grammatically correct, "the house was emptied" implies an action of removing contents, whereas ""house was empty"" describes its current state of being unoccupied.

What's the difference between "house was empty" and "house was vacant"?

"House was empty" typically suggests a temporary state of being unoccupied, while "house was vacant" often implies a more permanent or prolonged state of being unoccupied.