lying empty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lying empty" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a place, item, or vessel that is empty or no longer full, such as a room, a container, or a stomach. For example, "After finishing her meal, Sarah's stomach was lying empty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

What about Prescott's old pile at Dorneywood? That's lying empty now.

The Guardian

Or there will be a lot of really expensive hotel rooms, villas and bungalows lying empty.

The New York Times - Travel

Around one in seven (14.3%) high street shops are currently lying empty.

The Guardian

In the suburbs of Mumbai one can see blocks after blocks of buildings lying empty and new ones being readied.

The Economist

House prices have continued to fall in Ireland which, like Spain, has tens of thousands of homes lying empty.

The Guardian - Business

Forty-one per cent said they now had three-bed houses lying empty as a result of the bedroom tax.

The Guardian

Yet in Seville's greater metropolitan area alone an estimated 130,000 unsellable, unrentable homes are lying empty.

The Guardian

With more than one in seven high street stores already lying empty, property experts do not expect the rapacious growth of food chains to fill that void.

The Guardian - Business

Alyson Cozzolina of Manhattan went to We Lost Our Gold's page on Facebook and posted a photograph of a box lying empty on a beach in the Rockaways.

The New York Times

"Instead of leaving people homeless, they should be housed in one of the 700,000 homes currently lying empty in Britain.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

BF3 and BH3 with a low-lying empty orbital are strong Lewis acids, so their capability to accept electrons along with their planar geometries suggests that nucleophilic attack by a nucleophilic atom is performed.

Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical space that is "lying empty", consider using sensory details to enhance the image. For example, describe the echo in an empty room or the stillness of a deserted street.

Common error

Avoid using "lying empty" when an active construction would be more direct. Instead of "The house was lying empty", consider "No one lived in the house."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lying empty" functions as a descriptive element, often an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a state of vacancy or abandonment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lying empty" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes a state of vacancy or abandonment. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used across different contexts, most notably in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, its usage can imply neglect or disuse. For richer descriptions, consider alternatives like "completely vacant" or "totally deserted". Avoid confusing "lying" with "laying". Remember to use sensory details to enhance descriptions involving "lying empty".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely vacant

This alternative strongly suggests a total lack of occupants or contents.

entirely unoccupied

Focuses on the absence of people, emphasizing that no one is present.

totally deserted

Implies abandonment and a lack of activity, often with a negative connotation.

standing idle

Suggests that something is not in use and not performing its intended function.

remaining unused

Highlights the fact that something is available but not being utilized.

left abandoned

Indicates that something has been forsaken and is no longer cared for.

gathering dust

Emphasizes the lack of use over time, resulting in a build-up of dust.

vacant and available

A more formal expression indicating that something is both empty and ready for use.

available but unused

Highlights the potential for something to be used, but it currently is not.

unfilled

A general term for something that lacks contents or occupants.

FAQs

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

You can use "lying empty" to describe a physical space or object that is unoccupied. For example: "The old theater was "lying empty" for years before it was renovated".

What are some synonyms for "lying empty"?

Some alternatives to "lying empty" include "completely vacant", "entirely unoccupied", or "totally deserted", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "laying empty" instead of "lying empty"?

No, "laying empty" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""lying empty"". "Lying" refers to being in a reclining position or, in this context, being in a state of emptiness.

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

"Lying empty" often implies a state of neglect or inactivity over time, while "sitting empty" simply means that a space is currently unoccupied. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express.