less empty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less empty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has more substance or content compared to something that is completely empty. Example: "After adding some decorations, the room felt less empty and more inviting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Travel

Sports

Tech

Opinion

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Costs can be kept down by ensuring that ships put to sea with less empty space.

The Economist

You bring them in to make your life here feel less empty".

The Guardian - Books

The longer I spent in the Sahara, the less empty it became.

The Guardian - Travel

This at a university that used to give away tickets to make its 41,500-seat stadium look less empty.

The New York Times - Sports

The whole area, which was more or less empty, was the old Jewish quarter of Skopje, many of whose remaining houses collapsed in a devastating earthquake in 1963.

The Economist

Eavesdroppers and those active in identity theft might have been tempted to draw near, but the foyer continued to be more or less empty.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Donald McKayle's "Cross Roads" might have looked less empty-hearted if it had not shared a program with Mr. Siegenfeld's superficially similar-looking dance.

The New York Times - Arts

BEIT SAFAFA, Arabic for "summertime home", was the only one of some 40 Arab villages in the district of West Jerusalem to survive the war of 1948 that created Israel; the others were more or less emptied of their inhabitants, who mostly fled the killing and found their return barred by the victorious Israelis.

The Economist

The Louvre, "which more or less emptied its galleries to help us," according to Tarapor, has sent its world-famous diorite statue of Gudea, the enlightened and humanistic ruler of the city-state of Lagash, which was also in southern Iraq.

The New Yorker

That said, there is a lot of more-or-less empty space out west, millions of wild acres that the rounder-uppers never get to.

Huffington Post

A promoter-less (empty) pGL3-basic vector was used as an expression control.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing emotional states, use "less empty" to convey a sense of increased fulfillment or purpose. For example, "Finding a new hobby made me feel less empty inside."

Common error

Avoid using "less empty" in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise and descriptive language to maintain a professional tone. Alternatives like "more occupied" or "more complete" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less empty" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the degree to which something is not empty. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correctness and usability. It modifies nouns by indicating a reduction in emptiness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

16%

Books

8%

Less common in

Travel

4%

Sports

4%

Tech

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less empty" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, although Ludwig AI reports its frequency as uncommon. It functions as an adjectival modifier, primarily used to convey a reduction in emptiness. Predominantly featured in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral register. When seeking alternative phrasing, "more full", "more occupied", and "more complete" can be used to similar effect. While "less empty" is valid, consider the context and tone to ensure optimal clarity and impact. It's especially helpful in describing emotional states, like feeling "less empty" after finding a meaningful activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less vacant

Synonymous with "less empty", emphasizing reduced vacancy.

more filled

A direct alternative, emphasizing the state of being occupied.

more full

Focuses on the positive aspect of being filled rather than the reduction of emptiness.

more occupied

Emphasizes the filled or busy state of a space or time.

more complete

Highlights the sense of wholeness and fulfillment, moving away from the concept of emptiness.

more substantial

Indicates having greater content or significance.

partially full

Specifies a partial state of fullness, implying some emptiness remains.

somewhat occupied

Indicates a degree of occupancy without complete fullness.

not completely empty

A more literal rephrasing, focusing on the absence of complete emptiness.

more populated

Specifically refers to an increase in the number of people or entities.

FAQs

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

You can use "less empty" to describe a space, object, or feeling that has gained content or substance. For example, "After adding decorations, the room felt "less empty" and more inviting."

What can I say instead of "less empty"?

Alternatives to "less empty" include "more full", "more occupied", or "more complete" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less empty"?

Yes, "less empty" is grammatically correct. It uses "less", which is appropriate for non-countable nouns, to describe the state of being empty.

What's the difference between "less empty" and "more full"?

While both phrases describe a similar concept, "less empty" emphasizes a reduction in emptiness, whereas "more full" emphasizes an increase in fullness. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the decrease of something negative or the increase of something positive.