it was bereft

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was bereft" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a state of being deprived of something, often in an emotional or metaphorical sense. Example: "After the loss of her beloved pet, she felt it was bereft of joy and laughter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The former was a solid album, but it was bereft of the bristling rap and crunchily layered sampling that characterised his first two fiercely beloved records – instead it turned to more traditional indie rock.

The Guardian - Music

While the lamb was tender in the extreme, it was bereft of seasoning.

The New York Times

I think the board must have thought: 'If we can get by to the end of this season, then we'll rebuild for next.' But having seen the team all year, they should have seen that it was bereft of confidence and ideas.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Now an outdoor event in Wellington, Fla., it is bereft of Big Apple buzz.

The New York Times

Thus they were no longer capable of motivating the younger generation, whose members, dazzled by the new consumerism or obsessed with desiring it, were bereft of an inclusive life within a family and a community.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I'm a taxpayer, a British taxpayer, and I left the royal family for freedom, and in freedom it means I am bereft.

The New York Times

The duplicated block on the short arm of chromosome 2 also may have experienced a gene loss event as it is bereft of any kinesins, whereas its counterpart on the long arm of chromosome 6 contains a single (OSBCC22107) kinesin.

BMC Genomics

It's bereft of it.

The Guardian - Music

Not that it is bereft of interesting developments.

The New York Times

It's bereft of flavour and hold and almost completely dried out.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If Zucker's new offering fails to bond with viewers, NBC's Thursday night schedule could become a lonely place indeed, once it is bereft of Friends.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was bereft" to add a touch of formality or expressiveness when describing a lack of something, particularly in writing where you want to evoke a sense of loss or deficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "it was bereft" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "it lacked" or "it was missing" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was bereft" typically functions as a descriptive expression, attributing a state of lacking something to a particular subject. Ludwig examples show it describing a team lacking confidence, lamb lacking seasoning, or a schedule lacking friends. The phrase serves to highlight a deficiency or absence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was bereft" is a grammatically sound and correct expression used to describe a state of lacking something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While not exceedingly common, it finds its niche in neutral to formal contexts, particularly within News & Media. Its primary function is to highlight a deficiency or absence, often with a critical tone. When aiming for informality, consider simpler alternatives like "it lacked" or "it was missing".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it lacked

Changes the verb to a simpler synonym, focusing on the absence of a quality or element.

it was devoid of

Replaces "bereft" with "devoid of", offering a more direct synonym indicating a complete absence.

it had no

Simplifies the sentence structure to directly state the absence of something.

it was missing

Emphasizes the absence as something that should be present but is not.

it contained no

Focuses on the absence of specific contents or elements within something.

it suffered from a lack of

Highlights the negative impact of the absence, framing it as a deficiency.

it was wanting in

Uses a more formal and somewhat archaic expression to indicate deficiency.

it did not include

Directly states the exclusion of something from a set or category.

it failed to provide

Emphasizes the inability to supply or offer something necessary.

it was without

Indicates the absence of something, often implying a sense of loss or lack of essential qualities.

FAQs

What does "it was bereft" mean?

The phrase "it was bereft" means that something was lacking or completely without something that was expected or needed. It often suggests a sense of loss or deprivation.

How can I use "it was bereft" in a sentence?

You can use "it was bereft" to describe something missing a quality or element. For example, "The performance "it was bereft of energy"" or "The room "it was bereft of furniture"".

What can I say instead of "it was bereft"?

You can use alternatives like "it lacked", "it was devoid of", or "it was missing" depending on the specific context.

Is "it was bereft of" the same as "it was devoid of"?

Yes, "it was bereft of" and "it was devoid of" are very similar in meaning. Both indicate a complete lack of something. "Bereft" may carry a slightly stronger emotional connotation of loss or deprivation.