it has been empty for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has been empty for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the duration of time that something has remained unoccupied or unused. Example: "The warehouse has been empty for six months, and we need to decide what to do with it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It has been empty for 55 years.

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

But it has been empty for the last few years.

The New York Times

So the property is virtually abandoned, and much of it has been empty for years.

The New York Times

It has been empty for more than 50 years, although some furniture and even the dishes in the kitchen look as though the family just left.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"It had been empty for a while.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

By the time I arrived in 2013, it had been empty for more than 10 years.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In 1961, when Mr. Wood bought the house with his ex-wife Joan, who is also an architect, for $3,600, it had been empty for two decades.

The New York Times

Property records show that the building is owned by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, and neighbors said it had been empty for at least three years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the duration of vacancy, ensure the context is clear. For example, specify what "it" refers to (e.g., "The building has been empty for five years.")

Common error

Avoid using "it has been empty for" when describing a space that is actively used for storage or another purpose. Emptiness implies a complete lack of activity or occupation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been empty for" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a subject, indicating the duration of time it has remained unoccupied or unused. Ludwig examples show its common use in describing buildings or positions, clarifying how long they've been vacant. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has been empty for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase to indicate the duration of time that something has remained unoccupied. Ludwig AI validates this correctness, indicating its acceptability in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves the purpose of providing factual information about vacancy, maintaining a neutral register. Alternatives include "it has remained vacant for" and "it has been unoccupied for". When utilizing the phrase, ensure clarity and specify what "it" refers to to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has remained vacant for

Replaces "empty" with "vacant", emphasizing a formal or official state of being unoccupied.

it has been unoccupied for

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

it has stood vacant for

Replaces "been empty" with "stood vacant", suggesting a prolonged state of emptiness.

it has lacked occupancy for

Uses a more formal tone, replacing "empty" with "lacked occupancy", which is suitable for official reports or documents.

it has been deserted for

Emphasizes abandonment and desolation, differing slightly from the neutral "empty".

it has been uninhabited for

Specifically refers to the absence of inhabitants, particularly in the context of a dwelling.

it has not been used for

Focuses on the lack of utilization, applicable to spaces or items not necessarily meant for habitation.

it has been dormant for

Implies inactivity or suspension of activity, applicable in specific contexts such as a business or project.

it has been idled for

Suggests a state of being out of service or unemployed, often used in industrial or economic contexts.

it has been out of commission for

Indicates a state of non-functionality or disuse, typically used for machinery or facilities.

FAQs

What does "it has been empty for" mean?

The phrase "it has been empty for" indicates that a particular place, container, or position has not been occupied or filled for a specific duration of time.

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

You can use alternatives like "it has remained vacant for", "it has been unoccupied for", or "it has stood vacant for" depending on the context.

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

Yes, but the phrases have different meanings. "It has been empty since [date]" indicates the starting point of the emptiness, while "it has been empty for [duration]" indicates the length of time it has been empty. For example: "It has been empty since January" vs. "It has been empty for six months".

When is it appropriate to use "it has been empty for" in a sentence?

Use "it has been empty for" when you want to specify the duration of time that something has been unoccupied or unused. It's suitable for describing buildings, positions, containers, or any space that lacks contents or occupants for a period of time.