so empty that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so empty that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of emptiness that leads to a specific consequence or feeling. Example: "The room was so empty that it echoed with every sound."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

At that hour, the street was so empty that it looked like one big bike lane.

The New York Times

The Romney-for-President slogan, "Believe in America," is so empty that it also served as John Kerry's, in 2004.

The New Yorker

Your stomach is so empty that even when you are thirsty and you take water it makes you dizzy.

The New York Times

The airfield was set in country, so empty that it seemed to stretch out endlessly in all directions.

The New Yorker

My hotel in Jerusalem was so empty that it resembled Jack Nicholson's echoing mountain lair in "The Shining".

The New Yorker

It was an unusual scene for a place that Mr. McMurtry once described as so empty that one can feel "like the only human creature in town".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

The film stars Molly Parker and John Hawkes as a suburban couple who embody everything that felt so empty about that decade: she drinks and doesn't care about her children; he is so overeager to do things a certain way that he can't see the obvious.

The New York Times

So empty out that pot of mushroom tea straight away.

The Guardian - Money

"The reason Jerusalem is so empty is that everybody went to Haifa because it was supposed to be safe," quipped a young Israeli, watching news of the latest attack on television.

The New York Times

so empty out that before you do this.

WikiHow

Is constitutional dialectic so empty of reason that it can be seriously urged that loss of citizenship is a fate worse than death?

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so empty that" to vividly describe a state of extreme emptiness that leads to a specific consequence, ensuring the reader understands the magnitude of the emptiness being portrayed. For example, "The library was so empty that her footsteps echoed loudly."

Common error

Avoid using "so empty that" excessively in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound informal or simplistic. Consider using more sophisticated vocabulary to describe the state of emptiness, such as "devoid of", "vacant", or "bereft of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so empty that" functions as a degree adverb modifying the adjective "empty", followed by a complement clause introduced by "that". Ludwig AI confirms that this structure is used to emphasize the extent of the emptiness and introduce a consequence or result of that emptiness. Examples from Ludwig show this construction used to describe physical spaces, emotional states, and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Travel

12%

Opinion

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

4%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "so empty that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a degree adverb and complementizer, emphasizing the intensity of emptiness and introducing a consequence. Its usage is particularly common in news, travel writing, and opinion pieces, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using "so empty that", consider its potential informality in certain formal settings and explore alternative phrases like "so vacant that" or "so deserted that" for a more sophisticated tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so vacant that

Emphasizes lack of occupation or activity.

so deserted that

Highlights the absence of people, suggesting abandonment.

so bare that

Focuses on the lack of contents or covering.

so hollow that

Implies a lack of substance or emotional depth.

so devoid that

Stresses a complete absence of something expected or desired.

to the point of emptiness

Conveys a more gradual or progressive decline into emptiness.

utterly empty that

Adds intensity to the feeling of emptiness.

virtually uninhabited that

Specifically refers to a lack of inhabitants.

almost totally unoccupied that

Emphasizes the lack of physical presence.

such an emptiness that

Shifts the focus to the quality of emptiness itself.

FAQs

How can I use "so empty that" in a sentence?

Use "so empty that" to describe a scene or feeling of extreme emptiness, where the emptiness has a noticeable consequence. For instance, "The stadium was "so empty that" the players' voices echoed."

What are some alternatives to "so empty that"?

You can use alternatives like "so vacant that", "so deserted that", or "so devoid that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "too empty that" instead of "so empty that"?

No, "too empty that" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is ""so empty that"". "Too" is typically followed by an adjective or adverb, not a clause introduced by "that".

What's the difference between "so empty that" and "very empty"?

"Very empty" simply indicates a high degree of emptiness. "So empty that" implies a consequence or result of the emptiness. For example, "The room was very empty" versus "The room was "so empty that" I could hear my own heartbeat."