not devoid of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not devoid of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has a certain quality or characteristic, implying that it is present to some degree. Example: "The film is not devoid of humor, making it an enjoyable watch despite its serious themes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We're not devoid of reality.

The Guardian

"The syllabus is not devoid of content.

The Guardian

BLT Burger is a place not devoid of pleasures.

The New York Times - Food

Contemporary cocoonery is not devoid of a merchandising component.

The New York Times - Style

The series is not devoid of actual information.

The New York Times - Arts

But the yelling is not devoid of purpose.

The New York Times

Yet the need to resort to such devices is not devoid of an emotional component.

The New York Times

The Cheney pick is not devoid of political upsides -- or risks.

The New York Times

Certainly, the city in the 1990's was not devoid of development.

The New York Times

"Not devoid of quality, but not being little sisters of pity, either".

The New York Times

His works were not devoid of a bit of artistic fraud.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not devoid of" to introduce a positive attribute or characteristic, especially when the opposite might be expected or assumed. This creates a nuanced and sophisticated tone.

Common error

Avoid using "not devoid of" in contexts where a simpler, more direct phrasing would suffice. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound pretentious or unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not devoid of" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something possesses a certain characteristic or quality, even if it might be unexpected or not immediately apparent. Ludwig AI confirms the versatility of this phrase across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not devoid of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something possesses a particular quality or characteristic. As verified by Ludwig AI, its presence across various contexts—ranging from news and media to scientific literature—attests to its versatility. While it is essential to use "not devoid of" appropriately and avoid overuse in simple contexts, mastering its application can add sophistication to your writing. Considering alternatives such as "possessing some" or "having elements of" can further refine your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not entirely without

Similar to the original but emphasizes the idea of a partial presence.

not completely lacking

Implies a partial presence, similar to 'not devoid of'.

possessing some

Focuses on the presence of a quality, emphasizing the existence rather than the absence of a lack.

having elements of

Highlights that something includes particular components or characteristics.

having a degree of

Emphasizes the presence of something to a certain level or intensity.

containing aspects of

Emphasizes the inclusion of certain features or elements.

characterized by some

Indicates that something exhibits a particular quality to a certain extent.

with certain attributes

Focuses on the presence of specific qualities or characteristics.

exhibiting traces of

Suggests the presence of subtle or minor indicators of a quality.

to some extent featuring

Highlights the partial presence of a quality or characteristic.

FAQs

How can I use "not devoid of" in a sentence?

You can use "not devoid of" to indicate that something has a certain quality or characteristic, implying that it is present to some degree. For example, "The film is "not devoid of" humor, making it an enjoyable watch despite its serious themes."

What are some alternatives to "not devoid of"?

Alternatives to "not devoid of" include "possessing some", "having elements of", or "not completely lacking", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "not devoid of" or "lacking in"?

"Not devoid of" implies a presence, while "lacking in" indicates an absence. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. For instance, "The presentation was "not devoid of" creativity" suggests some creativity was present, while "The presentation was lacking in creativity" suggests an absence of creativity.

Is "not devoid of" a formal or informal expression?

"Not devoid of" is generally considered a more formal expression. In more casual contexts, simpler phrases like "having some" or "containing some" may be more appropriate.