remained empty

USAGE SUMMARY

"remained empty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that stayed vacant and had no occupants. For example, "The house stood vacant until it was demolished, remaining empty for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Water glasses remained empty.

The New York Times

The 13th chair remained empty.

The New York Times

But Pettitte's chair remained empty.

The New York Times

But her notebooks remained empty.

The New Yorker

All evening, however, the chair remained empty.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, our water glasses remained empty.

The New York Times

For years most of its houses remained empty.

The Economist

In Toronto about a quarter of the seats remained empty.

The New York Times - Arts

Keech's energy was high, but her shopping bag remained empty.

The New Yorker

CCTV showed traffic tailbacks while Games lanes remained empty.

The Guardian

Behind him, the table marked Crudup remained empty.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remained empty" when you want to emphasize that something was expected to be occupied or filled but was not. For example, "Despite the advertising campaign, the theater remained empty on opening night."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "remained empty" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "was empty" or "stayed empty" when speaking or writing informally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remained empty" functions as a descriptive phrase, often acting as a predicate adjective complementing a verb like "remained" or "was". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and examples show it describes a state of vacancy or lack of content.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "remained empty" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the condition of something staying vacant or unfilled. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and provides numerous examples spanning news articles, scientific literature, and other sources. The phrase functions descriptively and conveys a sense of unrealized expectation or ongoing vacancy. While applicable across registers, it leans slightly toward professional or neutral contexts due to its prevalence in news and media. Consider using synonyms like "stayed vacant" or "persisted unoccupied" to add variety to your writing. It's important to note that while the phrase is appropriate in many situations, simpler alternatives like "was empty" might be more suitable for casual communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stayed vacant

Focuses on the condition of being unoccupied for a duration.

continued unfilled

Emphasizes that something was expected to be filled but was not.

persisted unoccupied

Highlights the ongoing nature of being not inhabited or used.

was left desolate

Suggests a state of abandonment and emptiness, often with negative connotations.

held no contents

Specifically refers to the absence of anything inside something.

existed without occupants

Emphasizes the lack of people or entities inhabiting a space.

presented an absence

Highlights the lack of something that was expected or desired.

stood void

Implies a complete lack of anything, creating a sense of emptiness.

retained its emptiness

Highlights that the state of being empty has been maintained over time.

showed no signs of life

Suggests a complete lack of activity or presence.

FAQs

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

You can use "remained empty" to describe something that was not filled or occupied. For example, "The shelves "remained empty" despite the store's restocking efforts."

What are some synonyms for "remained empty"?

Some synonyms for "remained empty" include "stayed vacant", "continued unfilled", and "persisted unoccupied".

Is it correct to say "remained empty"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe something that stayed in a state of emptiness.

What is the difference between "remained empty" and "was empty"?

"Remained empty" implies a duration or expectation that something would be filled, whereas "was empty" is a simple statement of fact. For example, "The glass "remained empty" all night" suggests it should have been filled, while "The glass was empty" is a neutral observation.