it has been empty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it has been empty' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something has been vacant or unused for a period of time. For example, "The theater has been empty since the pandemic began."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

It has been empty about seven years.

The New York Times

It has been empty for 55 years.

The New York Times

It has been empty since then.

The Guardian

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

But it has been empty for the last few years.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

He spends several days in a motel, then returns to his house to discover that it has been emptied of every possession.

The New Yorker

Mr. Delon's face looks as if it has been emptied, as if it were once able to show feeling but has now forgotten how -- or has simply become terrified at the prospect.

The New York Times

But it has been emptying faster than anticipated, and the Bush administration now projects that at some point in the next fiscal year, beginning Oct. 1, it will hit zero, causing payments to be made from it only as revenue arrives.

The New York Times

She goes back to his office but it has been emptied.

Wikipedia

"It had been empty for a while.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has been empty" to clearly describe a state of vacancy or lack of content over a period. Specify the duration for added clarity, such as, "It has been empty for five years."

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions with "it has been empty". Instead of saying, "The house has been empty by the owners," specify who emptied it: "The owners emptied the house."

Linguistic Context

"It has been empty" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating that a subject has been without contents or occupants for a certain duration. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its proper usage in describing a state of vacancy or lack of content over time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has been empty" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a condition of vacancy that has persisted over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, its neutral register allows for versatile application across diverse contexts, including news, general descriptions, and even scientific contexts. While alternatives like "it has been vacant" or "it has been unoccupied" exist, the core meaning remains consistent: a state of absence over a defined duration. When using the phrase, it's helpful to specify the length of time to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has been emptied out

More emphatic and expressive way to say that contents have been completely removed.

it has been vacant

Replaces "empty" with "vacant", implying a temporary absence of occupants or contents.

it has been unoccupied

Substitutes "empty" with "unoccupied", specifically referring to a lack of residents or users.

it has been deserted

Replaces "empty" with "deserted", suggesting abandonment and a lack of activity.

it has been abandoned

Similar to 'deserted' but often implies a more permanent state of being left behind.

it has been devoid of life

A more descriptive phrase emphasizing the absence of living beings or activity.

it has been unused

Focuses on the lack of utilization rather than the physical emptiness.

it has been left idle

Implies a state of inactivity and non-operation.

it has been cleared out

Suggests that items or people were previously present but have been removed.

it has been evacuated

Indicates that people were removed, usually due to danger or an emergency.

FAQs

What does "it has been empty" mean?

The phrase "it has been empty" signifies that a place, container, or object has had its contents or occupants removed and has remained in that state for some time.

What can I say instead of "it has been empty"?

You can use alternatives like "it has been vacant", "it has been unoccupied", or "it has been deserted" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific context.

How do I use "it has been empty" in a sentence?

Use "it has been empty" to describe the condition of something that was once occupied or filled, such as, "The store has been empty since the business closed down last year."

Is it correct to say "it is empty" instead of "it has been empty"?

While "it is empty" describes a current state of emptiness, "it has been empty" emphasizes the duration of that state. For example, "The bottle is empty" versus "The bottle has been empty for hours".