not vacant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not vacant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a space, position, or seat is occupied or filled. Example: "The conference room is not vacant; it is currently being used for a meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It is not vacant.

The New York Times

There's a look about him – not vacant, but distant.

The Guardian

Whatever you think of his priorities and performance, the position is not vacant.

The Washington Post

It showed the storefront of a general contractor, Nadalin; the storefront is not vacant.

The New York Times

For a start, the job is not vacant: Tony Blair made it plainer than ever during the election that he intended to serve a full second term.

The Economist

The post was not vacant, however, and Constant returned to France, leaving his family in Martinique, where they were to remain for close to two years before being able to return.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

As Ms. Damrau played the daunting mad scene, the unhinged young woman, having stabbed to death the man she was forced to marry — the well-meaning Lord Arturo — was not vacant-eyed and spectral, like many Lucias.

The New York Times - Arts

Like "WarGames," "Explorers" argues that young people are smart, inventive and brave, not vacant-eyed layabouts.

Los Angeles Times

'The thing is, the position isn't vacant, as far as I am aware.

The Guardian - Film

The Toronto Sun yesterday compiled all sorts of coaching and GM vacancy rumors — including some jobs that aren't vacant — as well as repeating many of the same names circulated before on the Leafs' GM search.

The New York Times

Hiddleston, who played spy Jonathan Pine in the Night Manager, has played down speculation that he would take on the role, recently telling the BBC's Graham Norton Show: "The position isn't vacant as far as I'm aware.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not vacant" to clearly and directly state that a space, position, or resource is currently occupied or in use, avoiding potential ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using convoluted phrasing when a simple "not vacant" will suffice. Overly complex alternatives can dilute your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not vacant" functions primarily as an adjective phrase that describes a noun. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates that something is occupied rather than empty. It directly modifies nouns to specify their state of occupancy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not vacant" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase that indicates something is occupied. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to directly state the occupancy status of a space or position. While alternatives like "occupied" or "filled" exist, "not vacant" provides a clear and sometimes emphatic way to convey this information. It's frequently found in News & Media, Science and Wiki contexts, demonstrating its broad applicability. When writing, use "not vacant" to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity, but steer clear of overly complicated alternatives when a simpler expression will do.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occupied

Direct synonym, indicating something is in use or inhabited.

filled

Implies a space or position has been taken.

in use

Highlights that something is currently being used.

taken

Suggests a position or place is already claimed.

unavailable

Indicates that something cannot be used or accessed.

in service

Implies something is operational or being utilized.

not available

Similar to unavailable, but slightly more direct.

engaged

Suggests active use or commitment.

in operation

Indicates something is currently working or functioning.

populated

Highlights that a space is inhabited or contains occupants.

FAQs

How can I use "not vacant" in a sentence?

You can use "not vacant" to indicate that a space, position, or seat is occupied or filled. For example: "The conference room is "not vacant"; it is currently being used for a meeting."

What are some alternatives to "not vacant"?

Alternatives include "occupied", "filled", or "in use" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "not vacant" or "occupied"?

Both "not vacant" and "occupied" are correct, but "occupied" is often more concise and commonly used. "Not vacant" can sometimes add emphasis.

What does it mean if a position is described as "not vacant"?

It means the position is currently held by someone and is "not available". This is a straightforward way to communicate that the position is filled.