laying empty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "laying empty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a space or object that is not occupied or utilized, often conveying a sense of neglect or abandonment. Example: "The old warehouse has been laying empty for years, gathering dust and debris."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It was the adolescent home of Wallis Simpson and fell into complete disrepair, laying empty as a "crumbling pigeon coop", until an ambitious 2010 makeover.

The Guardian - Travel

Students at SUNY Purchase who managed to find the shrine did just that, laying empty bottles, candy wrappers, scraps of paper, rolls of tape, condoms, tampons, Juul pods, cigarette butts, and all manner of other fringe-ass tributes at DeVito's feet.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In between it being a nightclub it had also been a bar, and then it laid empty for six years and then we were given it to create the performance to signal the rebirth of this building.

Vice

Even in the American northeast, slugs can trouble a vegetable garden, and laying out a mostly empty beer bottle on its side had been a sure-fire way to trap them, like the roach motels advertised by Muhammad Ali: they check in, but they don't check out!

The Guardian - Opinion

Which meant the company instantly became the politicians' favored punchbag, with senator after senator laying into Alphabet for empty chairing them at the top exec level.

TechCrunch

(lay, laid, laid, laying).

WikiHow

In pretensioning, lengths of steel wire or cables are laid in the empty mold and stretched.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were stunned as the boys laid the warm empty plates in front of them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In pretensioning, lengths of steel wire, cables, or ropes are laid in the empty mold and then stretched and anchored.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The city is one of four being laid out on empty desert around this country, all scheduled for completion by 2030.

The New York Times - Arts

In it is a single table, laid but left empty, in remembrance of those men who are missing in action or held captive in some obscure corner of the world.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "laying empty", ensure the subject is something that can physically "lay" or be placed down. For instance, "laying empty" is appropriate when describing plates or bottles, but not necessarily for describing abstract concepts like opportunities or feelings.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "laying" when you should use "lying". "Laying" requires a direct object (e.g., "laying the book down"), while "lying" describes a state of being in a horizontal position (e.g., "lying empty"). Double-check if you're describing something being placed, or something in a resting state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "laying empty" functions as a compound verb phrase describing a state of being unoccupied or unused. It combines the present participle of "lay" (to place something) with the adjective "empty". As Ludwig AI indicates, the grammatical correctness is debated due to the transitive nature of 'lay'.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "laying empty" describes a state of being unoccupied, with a subtle suggestion of neglect. While used in varied contexts, particularly in news and media, its grammatical correctness is debated due to the transitive nature of the verb "lay". Ludwig AI indicates that it can be considered grammatically correct but the phrase "lying empty" is typically preferred. When writing, ensure the subject can physically "lay" and be aware of the 'laying' vs. 'lying' confusion. Alternatives like "remaining vacant" or "sitting idle" offer more precise options depending on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remaining vacant

Focuses on the state of being unoccupied and available.

sitting idle

Emphasizes a lack of activity or use.

standing unused

Highlights the condition of not being put to its intended purpose.

deserted

Implies abandonment and a lack of people.

unoccupied

A more formal term for not being inhabited or used.

vacant

Similar to unoccupied, but can also imply a temporary state.

unfilled

Suggests something that is waiting to be occupied or completed.

hollow

Conveys a sense of emptiness and lack of substance.

void

A more dramatic term for emptiness, implying a significant absence.

devoid of content

Explicitly states the absence of any substance or contents.

FAQs

What's the difference between "laying empty" and "lying empty"?

"Laying" is a transitive verb that requires an object (e.g., "He is laying the book on the table"). "Lying" is an intransitive verb that describes reclining or being in a horizontal position. Therefore, "lying empty" is generally the correct phrase to use when describing something that is empty and in a resting state. However, some sources do use the phrase "laying empty".

How can I use "laying empty" in a sentence?

You can use "laying empty" to describe physical objects that are placed down and are not occupied, such as "The warm empty plates were laying in front of them". However, "lying empty" is often more grammatically precise and appropriate.

What are some alternatives to "laying empty" that maintain a similar meaning?

Some alternatives to "laying empty" include "remaining vacant", "sitting idle", or "standing unused". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "laying empty" considered grammatically correct?

While some sources use "laying empty", it can be considered grammatically incorrect due to the misuse of the transitive verb "laying" without a direct object. The phrase "lying empty" is typically preferred because "lying" is an intransitive verb that describes a state of being.