pretty empty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'pretty empty' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is lacking in content or has a limited number of something. Example sentence: The kitchen cupboards were pretty empty, there were only a few cans of beans and some rice.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the street was pretty empty.

The New York Times

Life would be pretty empty without your friends.

The New Yorker

The other side of this is still pretty empty".

Independent

CHECKING THE FRIDGE My fridge is usually pretty empty.

The New York Times

It was fine, but it was pretty empty.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some viewers might dismiss these works as pretty, empty commodities.

The New York Times - Arts

"It is a pretty empty life," she says.

The Guardian

Avatar is an amazing show, but it's pretty empty.

The Guardian - Film

"It was pretty empty for a while," Mr. Christensen recalled.

The New York Times

"Bristol has a pretty empty nest upstairs," Mr. Shah said.

The New York Times

That may seem a contradiction in terms: space is, famously, a pretty empty place.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pretty empty" to describe physical spaces, emotional states, or abstract concepts that lack content or occupants. For example, “The stadium was "pretty empty" during the first half” or “Her life felt "pretty empty" after her children moved out”.

Common error

While "pretty empty" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated alternatives like "largely unoccupied" or "significantly depleted" for enhanced clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty empty" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, where "pretty" modifies the adjective "empty". Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this phrase, showcasing its common usage in descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty empty" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase that conveys a significant lack of content or occupants. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread use across diverse sources, especially in news and media. While suitable for neutral contexts, consider more formal alternatives like "largely unoccupied" for enhanced precision in professional writing. As Ludwig's examples illustrate, the phrase effectively describes both physical spaces and emotional states, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very empty

Substitutes "pretty" with "very" for increased emphasis on emptiness.

quite empty

Uses "quite" as a substitute for "pretty", maintaining a similar level of emphasis.

rather empty

Uses "rather" instead of "pretty", indicating a slightly more formal tone.

pretty vacant

Replaces "empty" with "vacant", emphasizing a lack of occupation or content.

somewhat empty

Uses "somewhat" as a substitute for "pretty", softening the degree of emptiness.

pretty devoid

Replaces "empty" with "devoid", suggesting a complete absence of something.

relatively empty

Adds "relatively" to indicate that the emptiness is in comparison to something else.

pretty hollow

Replaces "empty" with "hollow", suggesting a lack of substance or sincerity.

pretty bare

Employs "bare" to convey a sense of simplicity and lack of ornamentation.

pretty vacuous

Employs "vacuous" to highlight a lack of intellectual or emotional depth.

FAQs

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

You can use "pretty empty" to describe a physical space lacking occupants, such as "The restaurant was "pretty empty" on a Tuesday night", or an emotional state, such as "After the project ended, her days felt "pretty empty"".

What are some alternatives to saying "pretty empty"?

Alternatives include "rather empty", "very empty", or "relatively empty depending on the context". Consider using synonyms like "vacant" or "devoid for a more formal tone".

Is it grammatically correct to say "pretty empty"?

Yes, "pretty empty" is grammatically correct. "Pretty" is used as an adverb to modify the adjective "empty", indicating a degree of emptiness.

When is it appropriate to use "pretty empty"?

It's appropriate in informal and neutral contexts. In more formal or professional writing, consider using more precise and elevated language, such as "largely unoccupied" or "substantially depleted". In some cases, "relatively empty" may provide better accuracy.