remain empty

USAGE SUMMARY

"remain empty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something continues to stay without content, such as a room, container, or space. For example, "The auditorium will remain empty for the foreseeable future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Millions of homes remain empty.

The New York Times

But many machines remain empty.

The New York Times

His place will forever remain empty.

The New Yorker

But other key jobs remain empty.

The New York Times

were supposed to fill on Monday remain empty.

The New York Times

Outside it, though, the vacuum will remain empty.

The Economist

But many houses remain empty, punch-drunk with gaping holes.

The New York Times - Sports

But the markets remain empty, Mr. Lee said.

The New York Times

These are investment properties that remain empty for years.

The Guardian

"I pray these beds will remain empty," said Ms. Bano.

The New York Times

And state officials expect them to remain empty, permanently.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "remain empty", ensure the context clearly indicates what is expected to fill the space or object. For example, "The classrooms will "remain empty" until the renovation is complete."

Common error

Avoid assuming that something will "remain empty" indefinitely without clear justification. Provide context to explain why the state of emptiness is expected to persist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain empty" functions as a verb phrase, typically serving as a predicate in a sentence. It describes a state of being where something continues to lack content or occupancy. Ludwig examples show it applies to physical spaces like "homes" or abstract concepts like "promises".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remain empty" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe a continuous state of vacancy or lack of content, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and frequently found in diverse contexts, primarily in news and media, but also in scientific and formal writing. While alternatives like "stay vacant" or "continue unfilled" exist, "remain empty" effectively communicates the ongoing absence of something expected. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the reason for the continued emptiness to avoid potential misunderstandings. The high frequency and authoritative sources indicate its reliability in formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay vacant

Replaces "remain" with "stay", focusing on the continuation of a vacant state.

continue unfilled

Emphasizes the ongoing lack of fulfillment or being filled.

persist unoccupied

Highlights the enduring nature of being unoccupied.

go unused

Shifts focus to the lack of utilization.

lie idle

Suggests inactivity and lack of purpose.

endure without contents

Stresses the absence of any content over time.

keep bare

Focuses on the simplicity and lack of adornment or contents.

maintain emptiness

Highlights the act of preserving the state of emptiness.

be devoid of

Emphasizes a complete absence of something expected.

suffer vacancy

Implies a negative consequence of being vacant or empty.

FAQs

How to use "remain empty" in a sentence?

You can use "remain empty" to describe a physical space or an abstract concept that lacks content. For example, "The shelves will "remain empty" until the new books arrive" or "His promises "remain empty" without any action".

What can I say instead of "remain empty"?

You can use alternatives like "stay vacant", "continue unfilled", or "go unused" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "remain empty" or "remains empty"?

"Remain empty" is generally used with plural subjects or in contexts where the subject is not specified. "Remains empty" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The boxes "remain empty"" versus "The box "remains empty"".

What's the difference between "remain empty" and "stay empty"?

While both phrases are very similar, ""remain empty"" may imply a longer or more indefinite duration compared to "stay empty". The choice often depends on stylistic preference and the specific context.