less than empty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than empty" is not standard in written English, but it can be understood in context.
You might use it to describe a situation or state that is even more devoid of content or substance than being empty itself. Example: "After the meeting, I felt less than empty; I was utterly drained and uninspired."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Actually, less than empty.

The New York Times

The night he won the Total Nonstop Action title, Drew Galloways was "running on less than empty".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Photonics Breakthrough Is Less Disruptive To Light Than Empty Space Printable Solar Cells Could Lead To A More Robust Energy Supply The Backpack Scooter Lets You Walk Then Ride Takabisha: Japan Gets World's Steepest Roller Coaster (Videos) Video: The Bicycle Wine Rack In Action Review: Razer Chimaera Wireless Headset.

TechCrunch

This is the way that all of the movie's characters are depicted, and the choice isn't just a way of keeping the narrative energy juiced; it's a fundamental matter of aesthetics, an element of an aesthetic ideology that, for all the primal pleasure afforded by the movie, leaves it less than an empty experience — turns it into a deceptive one.

The New Yorker

They delivery a full letter-box-sized box of healthy food (nuts, berries, dried fruit etc) straight to a desk for less than an empty box (the delivery charge) of an online supermarket.

TechCrunch

These problems reduced maximum lift at higher altitudes out of the ground effect to 3150 pound, less than the empty weight of the aircraft at 4285 pound.

Wikipedia

In Vancouver, where several thousand units are being diverted as short-term rentals, the competition among less than 5,000 empty units is unhealthy.

Vice

The "smart" parking meters will calculate how many cars are in a particular area and if it is less than 15percentt empty, drivers will be charged 20percentt more to park.

Vice

Procedure LS occurred less than procedures EMPTY and PROD but was evenly distributed among line numbers, particularly for scenario S12k.

Genetics, Selection, Evolution

The normalized library had a total of 4.6 × 106 colony forming units (cfu) with less than 1% empty vectors (blue colonies).

BMC Genomics

Manufacturing using scalable suspension cell culture and chromatographic purification resulted in scAAV8 vector clinical stocks with less than 10% empty particle contamination.

Human Gene Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If aiming for clarity and broader understanding, opt for alternative phrases such as "devoid of substance", "lacking in content", or "more vacant than unoccupied" for easier comprehension by readers.

Common error

Avoid using "less than empty" in situations where a more direct and literal description would be clearer and more effective. Overusing figurative language can make your writing sound convoluted and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than empty" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun by indicating a state that is more deficient or negative than simple emptiness. Ludwig confirms this understanding, though examples are scarce.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less than empty" is a grammatically acceptable but uncommon comparative phrase used to express a state more deficient than simple emptiness. Ludwig's analysis indicates that the phrase, although rare, appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and Huffington Post, often in descriptive or figurative contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, while understood, this phrase is not standard in written English and can sound unusual, making alternatives like "devoid of substance" or "more vacant than unoccupied" preferable for clarity in many situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more devoid than empty

Emphasizes a greater lack or absence compared to simply being empty.

devoid of substance

Highlights the absence of meaningful content or value.

worse than nothing

Indicates that the situation is not only lacking but also detrimental.

more vacant than unoccupied

Suggests a deeper level of emptiness, implying a lack of potential or purpose.

bereft of meaning

Focuses on the absence of significance or purpose.

utterly drained

Describes a state of complete depletion, both physically and emotionally.

completely uninspired

Highlights the lack of creativity or motivation.

hollow inside

Describes an emotional or spiritual emptiness.

spiritually bankrupt

Suggests a complete lack of moral or ethical values.

intellectually barren

Implies a lack of new ideas or stimulating thoughts.

FAQs

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

You can use "less than empty" to describe a situation or feeling that is even more devoid or negative than simply being empty. For example, "After the project failed, I felt "more devoid than empty"; I was utterly discouraged".

What phrases can I use instead of "less than empty"?

Alternatives to "less than empty" include "devoid of substance", "worse than nothing", or "bereft of meaning". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "less than empty" grammatically correct?

Yes, "less than empty" is grammatically correct, but it is not a common or widely recognized idiom. It's understood as a comparative phrase. While grammatically sound, it may sound unusual to some readers.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "less than empty"?

Use "less than empty" when you want to emphasize that something is not just lacking but also negatively impacting or profoundly devoid of something. It is best suited for descriptive or figurative writing.