the house was empty

USAGE SUMMARY

"the house was empty" is a grammatically correct sentence and is commonly used in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to describe a house that has no occupants or is devoid of furniture or belongings. For example: - The real estate agent showed us a few houses, but the one we liked the most was the house was empty, giving us the opportunity to imagine our own furniture and decorations in it. - After her parents passed away, Sarah was left with an empty house and a heavy heart. - We arrived at the vacation rental to find that the house was empty, despite the reservation confirmation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

The house was empty.

The New Yorker

But the house was empty.

The New York Times - Magazine

Finally, the house was empty.

The New York Times

The house was empty and trashed.

The New York Times

But the house was empty now.

The New Yorker

When Keller woke up, the house was empty.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

The house was emptied, and the chickens (n = 28,235) were slaughtered on July 29 , 2003

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The house is empty now.

The New York Times

When the house is empty, they feel lonely.

The New York Times

Habitat for Humanity renovated a house nearby, but its residents left, and the house is empty.

The New York Times

Usually you are nestled under blankets and the house is empty.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the house was empty" to clearly and concisely indicate the absence of occupants or contents in a house, particularly when setting a scene in narrative writing or reporting factual information.

Common error

Avoid using words like "vacant" or "abandoned" interchangeably without considering the specific context. "Vacant" typically implies temporary absence, while "abandoned" suggests a permanent state of neglect. Ensure "empty" accurately reflects the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the house was empty" functions as a descriptive statement. According to Ludwig, this construction is grammatically correct and serves to depict the state of a dwelling as unoccupied. Examples in Ludwig show it being used in both narrative and factual contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the house was empty" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a dwelling lacking occupants. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and versatile. Its primary use is descriptive, often employed in news, media, and literature to set a scene or provide factual information. While generally neutral in register, the formality can shift depending on the context. Related phrases include alternatives like "the residence was vacant" or "nobody was home". When using this phrase, be mindful of its specific implications and avoid confusion with similar terms like "abandoned".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the residence was vacant

Replaces "house" with "residence" and "empty" with "vacant", suggesting a more formal tone and emphasizing the lack of inhabitants.

the building was vacant

Replaces "house" with "building" and "empty" with "vacant", emphasizing the physical structure and its lack of occupants.

the dwelling was unoccupied

Replaces "house" with "dwelling" and "empty" with "unoccupied", creating a formal and descriptive alternative.

the home was uninhabited

Replaces "house" with "home" and "empty" with "uninhabited", implying a state of being without residents.

nobody was home

Shifts focus to the absence of people, using a more direct and informal expression.

the structure was empty

Replaces "house" with "structure" to emphasize a building and the state of being without occupants.

the place was deserted

Uses "place" instead of "house" and "deserted" instead of "empty", conveying a sense of abandonment.

the property was empty

Uses "property" instead of "house", focusing on ownership and lack of residents.

the family was gone

Focuses specifically on the absence of a family from the house.

the premises were clear

Uses "premises" instead of "house" and "clear" instead of "empty", suggesting that there are no obstructions present.

FAQs

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

You can use "the house was empty" to describe a scene, explain why something happened, or convey a feeling of loneliness or abandonment. For example, "The house was empty, and a chill ran down her spine" or "The house was empty, so the burglars broke in easily".

What are some alternatives to saying "the house was empty"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "nobody was home", "the residence was vacant", or "the dwelling was unoccupied".

Is it grammatically correct to say "the house was empty"?

Yes, "the house was empty" is a grammatically correct sentence. It follows standard English sentence structure with a subject ("the house"), a linking verb ("was"), and a predicate adjective ("empty").

What does it imply when someone says "the house was empty"?

The phrase "the house was empty" generally implies that there were no people present in the house at that time. It can also suggest that the house lacked furniture or other belongings, depending on the specific context.