leaving a vacuum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leaving a vacuum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is removed or absent, resulting in an empty space or lack of something that was previously there. Example: "The sudden departure of the team leader left a vacuum in the management structure that needed to be filled quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

CND by contrast has failed to expand, leaving a vacuum to be filled by other groups.

The Guardian

The question "why bother?" is then asked, leaving a vacuum for a cabal to survive.

The Guardian

These enemies are no longer credible, leaving a vacuum to be filled.

The New York Times

But science, too, is feeling its limits, leaving a vacuum that religion is happy to rush into.

The New York Times - Science

Leaving a vacuum would allow it to thrive, with potentially calamitous results in and far beyond the region.

The Guardian - Opinion

MoveOn tended to be strongest, Mr. Bai notes, in states where the Democratic Party had withered away, leaving a vacuum.

The New York Times - Books

And the Palestinian Authority leadership will have played no role whatsoever, leaving a vacuum that Hamas will rush to fill.

The Guardian

They're most vulnerable to these mass society tendencies, which are leaving a vacuum because of the decline of the churches, unions, voluntary associations.

University of California, Berkeley

The first involves an exchanger in which heat from the residues leaving a vacuum distillation unit is used to heat crude oil.

Applied Thermal Engineering

They were so irritated by this that they disbanded themselves, leaving a vacuum in accounting regulation.Many investors have questioned whether regulators ought to do more.

The Economist

The blog also took off because there is no single government entity that oversees the lake community, leaving a vacuum in terms of centralized information.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "leaving a vacuum", consider what is likely to fill the void. This adds depth to your writing by implying potential consequences or opportunities. For example, "The company's bankruptcy is leaving a vacuum in the market, which competitors are eager to exploit."

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is "leaving a vacuum" without considering what might fill that vacuum. Providing context about potential successors or consequences makes the statement more impactful and informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaving a vacuum" functions as a verb phrase acting as a noun modifier, often describing a consequence of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and commonly employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "leaving a vacuum" is a versatile and frequently used expression that describes the creation of an absence or void. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and its presence across news media, academic writing, and other formal contexts demonstrates its broad applicability. When using this phrase, consider the potential implications of the vacuum and what might fill it. Alternatives such as "creating a void" or "resulting in a gap" can offer nuanced shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

creating a void

Emphasizes the emptiness and lack of something after a departure or removal.

resulting in a gap

Focuses on the space or interval that is created when something is taken away.

opening a space

Suggests the creation of opportunity due to absence.

generating a deficiency

Highlights the inadequacy or lack of necessary resources after something is gone.

producing a shortage

Stresses the insufficient supply of something that was previously available.

causing an absence

Focuses on the state of being away or not present.

leaving an opening

Highlights the possibility for something else to enter or take over the empty space.

allowing a lapse

Suggests a temporary failure or decline due to the absence of something.

permitting a lacuna

Lacuna is a more formal term for gap or missing part, used in academic contexts.

facilitating a breach

Emphasizes a break or violation in a system or agreement due to the absence of control or structure.

FAQs

How can I use "leaving a vacuum" in a sentence?

The phrase "leaving a vacuum" is used to describe a situation where something or someone departs, creating a void or absence. For example, "The old CEO retired, "leaving a vacuum" at the top of the company".

What's a good alternative to "leaving a vacuum"?

You can use alternatives such as "creating a void", "resulting in a gap", or "opening a space" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "leave a vacuum" or "leaving a vacuum"?

The choice depends on the grammatical context. "Leave a vacuum" is an imperative or infinitive form, while "leaving a vacuum" is a gerund or participle form used to describe an ongoing action or state. Example: "His departure is "leaving a vacuum"" (present participle), "Don't "leave a vacuum"" (imperative).

What are the implications of "leaving a vacuum" in politics?

In politics, "leaving a vacuum" often implies that the absence of leadership or policy creates an opportunity for opposing forces or instability. This can lead to power struggles or the rise of extremist groups, as others seek to fill the void. It's comparable with "leaving an opening".