leaving empty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leaving empty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is left without content or is unfilled. Example: "After the meeting, the room was left leaving empty, with no chairs or tables remaining."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

They are leaving empty spaces unprobed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Shops have changed places in a version of musical chairs, leaving empty storefronts in their wake.

The Economist

The bus services are locally mocked for arriving and leaving empty.

The Guardian

In the process, the wax melted away, leaving empty Oscar-shaped forms.

MIT Technology Review

Many of those families had attended the Clarkston Baptist Church, leaving empty pews.

The New York Times

Long-promised regeneration projects have stalled, leaving empty dwellings in the poorest parts of Crewe to fester.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

"But I'm not leaving empty-handed".

The New Yorker

There was no chance he was leaving empty-handed.

The New York Times

Now, Mom was stopping halfway through the process and leaving empty-handed.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The suspect then escaped through the window he came in," leaving empty-handed.

The New York Times

By 2 30, 150 customers have come & gone, none leaving empty-handed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leaving empty" to vividly describe the state of a place or object after something or someone has departed, emphasizing the absence and potential emptiness remaining.

Common error

Avoid using "leaving empty" when describing emotional states or abstract concepts where other phrases like "feeling unfulfilled" or "remaining unresolved" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaving empty" functions primarily as a present participle phrase, often modifying a noun or pronoun to describe the action of departing and creating a state of emptiness. Ludwig examples show it describing physical spaces and objects in a state of abandonment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leaving empty" is a versatile and commonly used expression, as verified by Ludwig, that describes the action of departing and resulting in a state of emptiness. Predominantly found in news and media, science, and wiki contexts, it functions as a present participle phrase, emphasizing absence or lack. While generally neutral in register, it effectively conveys a sense of abandonment or completion across various situations. To ensure proper usage, avoid applying "leaving empty" to abstract concepts better described by other phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vacating

Focuses on the action of making something empty.

emptying

Emphasizes the process of removing contents.

abandoning

Highlights the act of deserting a place or thing.

making vacant

Expresses the act of rendering something unoccupied.

clearing out

Suggests the removal of everything from a space.

deserting

Implies a complete and often sudden abandonment.

forsaking

Indicates the act of giving up or renouncing something.

evacuating

Refers to the organized removal of people from a place.

relinquishing

Conveys the act of voluntarily giving something up.

depleting

Focuses on using up resources until nothing remains.

FAQs

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

You can use "leaving empty" to describe physical spaces or containers. For example, "The crowd dispersed after the concert, "leaving empty streets"" or "He finished his coffee, "leaving empty cups" on the table".

What are some alternatives to "leaving empty"?

Alternatives include "vacating", "abandoning", or "clearing out", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "leaving empty-handed"?

Yes, "leaving empty-handed" is a correct and common idiom, meaning to depart without obtaining what was desired or expected.

What's the difference between "leaving empty" and "becoming empty"?

"Leaving empty" implies a prior state of fullness or occupancy, whereas "becoming empty" simply describes the process of transitioning to an empty state. For instance, "The theater was leaving empty after the show ended" versus "The glass was becoming empty as I drank the water."