vacant

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "vacant" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this word to describe something that is empty or unoccupied. For example, "The apartment was vacant when we went to look at it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The plan to dump dredge spoil at a vacant industrial site next to Abbot Point represents the third attempt to find a place for the potentially toxic seabed.

The Guardian

Most of these hotels are 50% vacant and the malls are empty – the rents are too expensive for the former souk stall-holders.

The Guardian - Arts

(He'd also been touted when Corby became vacant back in 2012).

The Guardian - Sport

His empire is now hollowed out and vacant as the once ornate bank that epitomised confidence, stolidity and trust in the Irish banking sector.

The Guardian

But with Spain in the grips of the 2008 economic downturn, the money earmarked for the improvements failed to materialise, and the site remained vacant, cordoned off from the rest of the city by a chainlink fence.

The Guardian

Just days before the vote, Airdrie United tried to play a trump card by announcing it had secured an agreement with KPMG to use the vacant New Broomfield Stadium on matchdays.

The Guardian - Sport

The government expects around 15,000 of these high value council properties will become vacant annually, and proceeds from these sales will release £4.5bn a year – cash that will not only build new affordable property, but also fund the proposed discounts to tenants, creating a £1bn brownfield regeneration fund that will produce 400,000 new houses over five years.

The Guardian

The club's academy manager, John Pemberton, and the Leyton Orient manager, Russell Slade, who had two spells as caretaker manager at Bramall Lane in the late 1990s, are the early frontrunners for the vacant position with bookmakers.

The Guardian - Sport

One source said ITN will advertise internally and externally for the vacant editor post.

The Guardian

In Atlanta and Minneapolis, activists helped families occupy vacant bank-owned homes.

The Guardian - Opinion

While the stripped-down design of De Oude Pijp originally didn't include any green spaces, the park was eventually added on a vacant piece of land once assigned to the train station.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a position or role, use "vacant" to indicate that it is currently unoccupied and available to be filled.

Common error

Avoid using "vacant" when you mean "vacancy". "Vacant" is an adjective describing a state of being unoccupied, while "vacancy" is a noun referring to an unoccupied position or space. For example, say "The position is vacant", not "There is a vacant for the position".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "vacant" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe a state of being unoccupied, empty, or available. Ludwig confirms this, showcasing its use in diverse contexts to qualify various nouns. For example "vacant lot" or "vacant position".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vacant" functions as an adjective that describes something that is unoccupied, empty, or available. Ludwig's analysis of various sources confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in News & Media, Business, and General contexts. It's crucial to differentiate "vacant" from "vacancy" to avoid common errors in writing. You can consider similar alternatives such as "unoccupied", ""empty"", and "available" to express a similar idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unoccupied

Focuses on the lack of physical presence or habitation.

empty

Emphasizes the absence of contents or occupants.

available

Highlights the readiness for use or occupancy.

untenanted

Specifically refers to a property without a tenant.

unfilled

Suggests a position or role that has not been taken.

void

Indicates a complete absence or lack.

clear

Implies a space free from obstructions or occupants.

not in use

A straightforward description of something not currently being utilized.

idle

Suggests a state of inactivity or disuse.

free

Highlights the lack of constraints or obligations, implying availability.

FAQs

How to use "vacant" in a sentence?

You can use "vacant" to describe something that is unoccupied or empty. For example, "The apartment was "empty" because the previous tenants had moved out", or "The position is "unfilled" and we are seeking candidates".

What can I say instead of "vacant"?

You can use alternatives like "unoccupied", ""empty"", or "available" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "vacant position" or "vacancy position"?

"Vacant position" is the correct phrase. "Vacant" is an adjective that modifies the noun "position", indicating it is currently unoccupied. "Vacancy" is a noun itself and doesn't fit grammatically in that phrase. A "vacancy" exists, while a position is "vacant".

What's the difference between "vacant" and "empty"?

While both words indicate a lack of content or occupancy, "vacant" often implies a temporary state or availability for use, especially when related to positions, roles or buildings. "Empty" generally suggests a complete absence of anything inside. A seat can be "vacant" waiting to be filled but a glass can be "empty" after the liquid has been consumed.