practically empty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically empty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that nearly has no contents or people in it. For example, "The theater was practically empty - there were only a few people in the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

On V-E Day, bars and restaurants were deserted, and the streets practically empty.

The New Yorker

I noticed in some of the shops I entered the usual racks of cards practically empty.

The New York Times

— The air was cool and the bleachers practically empty Saturday morning when a woman stepped onto Center Court at Riverfront Park and sang the national anthem.

The New York Times - Sports

It was practically empty.

The New York Times

The van was practically empty.

The New York Times - Sports

The roads were practically empty.

The New York Times

The storeroom is practically empty.

The Guardian - Business

"The place is practically empty," Audie said.

The New Yorker

Look at it today: it's practically empty".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

She said she learned plenty of useful home decorating and organizing tips, and she got to enjoy her restyled home, which was repainted an eggshell white and practically emptied of furnishings.

The New York Times

But since we know from bitter experience that if a purchasing decision is made, a multinational company owned by a foreign pension fund will come along and buy it and polish their operations to perfection while we are left practically empty-handed.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "practically empty" to describe situations where something is close to being completely empty but might still have a few items or people present. It adds a nuance that "empty" alone might not convey.

Common error

While "practically empty" is widely understood, consider stronger, more formal alternatives like "nearly vacant" or "almost devoid" in professional or academic writing to maintain a higher level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically empty" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying nouns to indicate a state of near-emptiness. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it describes physical spaces, containers, or abstract concepts that are almost devoid of content.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "practically empty" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to describe something that is nearly, but not entirely, devoid of content or occupants. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase. It is suitable for various contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional writing. Its function is to provide a nuanced description, emphasizing the degree of emptiness, and it frequently appears in news and media sources. While closely related alternatives exist, "practically empty" offers a specific connotation that makes it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly deserted

Indicates an almost complete abandonment of a place.

almost bare

Suggests a minimal amount of contents, close to none.

nearly vacant

Focuses on the lack of occupants in a space or location.

almost devoid

Emphasizes the absence of something to a near-complete extent.

virtually uninhabited

Highlights the almost total absence of residents or inhabitants.

largely unfilled

Emphasizes the lack of content or items within a space or container.

scarcely populated

Indicates a very low number of residents or inhabitants.

substantially bare

Highlights the significant lack of covering or contents.

thinly occupied

Suggests a minimal presence of occupants in a given area.

mostly clear

Focuses on the absence of obstructions or contents.

FAQs

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

You can use "practically empty" to describe something that is almost entirely empty. For example, "The stadium was "practically empty" during the off-season."

What phrases are similar to "practically empty"?

Similar phrases include "almost empty", "nearly vacant", and "virtually uninhabited". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "practically empty"?

Yes, "practically empty" is grammatically correct and widely used in both spoken and written English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

When is it appropriate to use "practically empty" versus "completely empty"?

"Practically empty" suggests something is very close to being empty but not quite, whereas "completely empty" means there is absolutely nothing there. For example, a store shelf might be "practically empty" if it has a few items left, but it would be completely empty if all items have been removed.