lying vacant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lying vacant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a space or position that is unoccupied or not in use. Example: "The old office building has been lying vacant for several years, waiting for a new tenant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"We see what Washington doesn't: the houses lying vacant, the eyesore stripped for copper piping with mattresses out back," Mr. Cordray says.

The New York Times

Business groups say that would encourage companies to buy polluted sites and clean them up, rather than the sites' lying vacant and polluted for decades.

The New York Times

But Milton Keyes reported a waiting list of zero in 2014, while in Blackpool 5.9% of social housing is lying vacant, the highest in England and Wales.

The Guardian - Money

Stock market turbulence has led to a wave of City job losses that have left huge swaths of office space across the Square Mile lying vacant.

The Guardian

Chains that have filed for bankruptcy in recent years, like Blockbuster, Anchor Blue, Circuit City and Borders, have left hundreds of stores lying vacant in malls across the country.

The New York Times

If you were to do an audit of public buildings that are lying vacant, you will find that a lot of places can be done up and made safe and secure places where women can live.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The shrine contained one of the biggest attractions on the circuit: a 20-foot sandstone statue from the fifth century A.D. of the dying Buddha, lying vacant-faced on his right side.

The New York Times - Travel

Thousands of NHS nursing and doctor posts lie vacant.

The Guardian

Others lie vacant, the hulking skeletons of a dying species.

The New York Times

And just under a tenth of its housing stock lies vacant.

The New York Times

Now like everywhere else it is being sold to rich Russians and Chinese to lie vacant.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing properties or positions, use "lying vacant" to highlight their current state of being unoccupied and available for use. For example, "The shop has been "lying vacant" since the previous tenant moved out."

Common error

Avoid switching tenses mid-sentence when using "lying vacant". For example, instead of saying "The building was "lying vacant", but now it is occupied", maintain consistency: "The building lay vacant, but now it is occupied" or "The building has been "lying vacant", but now it is occupied".

Linguistic Context

Lying vacant functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating a state of being unoccupied or unused. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples show it describing properties, positions, and spaces.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

19%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lying vacant" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase that describes something as being unoccupied or unused. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It frequently appears in news and media contexts, as well as scientific articles, to describe properties, positions, or spaces that are currently available or not in use. While alternatives like "lying unoccupied" or "sitting vacant" exist, "lying vacant" remains a clear and effective way to convey this specific meaning. Remember to maintain tense consistency and avoid the incorrect "laying vacant". Therefore, you can confidently use "lying vacant" in your writing when you want to convey the idea of something being currently unoccupied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

laying vacant

A grammatical variation of the original phrase.

lying unoccupied

Focuses more on the lack of current inhabitants or occupants.

lying empty

Directly states the lack of contents or occupants.

sitting vacant

Implies a more static or prolonged state of being unused.

lying idle

Implies a state of inactivity or non-use.

lying uninhabited

Specifically highlights the absence of residents.

lying unfilled

Emphasizes that something is lacking what would normally be present.

lying hollow

Suggests emptiness and a lack of substance.

lying free

Highlights the availability and lack of encumbrance.

lying open

Focuses on accessibility and lack of closure or obstruction.

FAQs

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

You can use "lying vacant" to describe a property or position that is currently unoccupied or not in use. For example, "The old warehouse has been "lying vacant" for years" or "After the restructuring, the position of marketing director remained "lying vacant".

What can I say instead of "lying vacant"?

You can use alternatives like "lying unoccupied", "sitting vacant", or "lying empty" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "lying vacant" or "laying vacant"?

"Lying vacant" is the correct phrasing. "Laying" implies placing something, while "lying" (in this context) means being in a state of rest or inactivity.

What is the difference between "lying vacant" and "abandoned"?

"Lying vacant" primarily describes a state of being unoccupied, while "abandoned" suggests that something has been deliberately left behind, often implying neglect or disrepair. A property that is "lying vacant" might be awaiting new occupants, while an abandoned property is often derelict.