the house stood empty

USAGE SUMMARY

"the house stood empty" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a house that is unoccupied or vacant. Example: "After the family moved out, the house stood empty for months." Alternative expressions include "the house was vacant" and "the house was unoccupied."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

After the Weidels were gone from Millersport and the house stood empty, I discovered Slossie's grave.

The New Yorker

After his widow died, in 1941, the house stood empty until Mr. Wood and his wife came upon it.

The New York Times

The house stood empty until the Manhattan Project support personnel arrived in early 1945.

Wikipedia

The Crewe-Milnes family left Crewe Hall in 1922, and the house stood empty until the Second World War.

Wikipedia

Following a period when the house stood empty and suffered significant vandalism, it was purchased and restored, firstly by the actor Richard Harris and, latterly, by the guitarist Jimmy Page.

Wikipedia

The house stood empty and deteriorating until 1982, when the United States Army stabilized the house to prevent any further damage on the order of the commander of the White Sands Missile Range, Major General Niles J. Fulwyler, who had directed the restoration of the White Sands V-2 Launching Site.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Now the house stands empty, the Marshalls say, and costs them about $1 million a year in upkeep.

The New York Times

The estate sale is now long over, and the house stands empty and dark as I drive by.

The New York Times

Our family house is in a village outside Kabul but we can't go there, so the house stands empty.

BBC

The houses stand empty.

The Guardian

By Monday, the Stones' house stood empty, its front door ajar and two dogs still tied up in the muddy yard, which was littered with dilapidated furniture, a washing machine and tires.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the house stood empty" to create a sense of abandonment or neglect. This phrase is particularly effective in setting a scene in descriptive writing or storytelling.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses unexpectedly. Ensure that if you start describing a past situation using "stood", you maintain past tense consistency throughout the passage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the house stood empty" functions as a descriptive statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct. It typically serves to depict a scene or situation where a house is unoccupied.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

24%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the house stood empty" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that vividly portrays a state of vacancy and abandonment. As noted by Ludwig AI, this expression is fit for use in written English, making it a versatile choice for descriptive writing. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, this phrase serves to set a scene, evoke emotions, and provide crucial context in narratives. Its neutrality in register ensures that it is appropriate for a wide range of audiences. When writing, remember to maintain tense consistency to avoid confusion and enhance clarity. Using related phrases, such as "the residence remained vacant", can provide tonal diversity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the residence remained vacant

Replaces "house" with "residence" and "stood empty" with "remained vacant", offering a more formal tone.

the dwelling was unoccupied

Substitutes "house" with "dwelling" and "stood empty" with "was unoccupied", resulting in a more detached and objective expression.

the property was left vacant

Replaces "house" with "property" and uses "was left vacant" to emphasize the act of abandonment.

no one lived in the house

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct statement about the lack of occupants.

the house was deserted

Replaces "stood empty" with "was deserted", implying a sense of abandonment and desolation.

the building was vacant

Changes "house" to "building" for a more general reference and uses "was vacant" to indicate lack of occupancy.

the home remained empty

Swaps "house" for "home", creating a slightly warmer tone, and uses "remained empty" to highlight the continued state.

the premises were uninhabited

Uses "premises" to replace "house" for a formal alternative, and "were uninhabited" to emphasize that it had no inhabitants.

the place was vacant

Replaces "house" with "place", offering a more colloquial feel, while retaining the meaning of emptiness.

the structure was not inhabited

Substitutes "house" with "structure", resulting in a more detached and objective expression with the absence of inhabitants.

FAQs

How can I use "the house stood empty" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to describe a state of vacancy or abandonment. For example, "After the family moved away, "the house stood empty", slowly falling into disrepair."

What's a more formal way to say "the house stood empty"?

A more formal alternative would be "the residence remained vacant" or "the property was unoccupied". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

What does it mean when a house "stood empty"?

It means that the house was unoccupied and without residents. It often implies a sense of neglect or abandonment.

Which is correct, "the house stood empty" or "the house stands empty"?

"The house stood empty" implies a past state, while "the house stands empty" describes a present state. Choose the tense that matches the time frame you are describing.