vacated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vacated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that a space, position, or obligation has been emptied or made void. Example: "The court vacated the previous ruling, allowing for a new trial to take place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Anwar, whose campaign for the seat vacated by his wife has been overshadowed by allegations of sodomy, which is illegal in Malaysia, won a majority of 15,671 over his government opponent.

The Guardian

This means that Randy Jackson will still be there, calling everyone "dog" a lot and complaining that he can't feel things, with Tyler looking likely to assume the barmy, shaggy-haired, largely incomprehensible role vacated by Paula Abdul.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In protest against Hamburger SV's steep prices for away standing tickets, they vacated their block after 10 minutes to follow the game outside the ground, next to two portable buildings that had been helpfully provided by the Imtech Arena.

The Guardian - Sport

The former England footballer Sol Campbell has refused to rule out standing for the Conservatives in the London seat being vacated by Sir Malcolm Rifkind.

The Guardian - Sport

Turns out another vacancy opened for former NSW branch secretary, Dastyari, when another former NSW branch secretary, senator Matt Thistlethwaite, decided to contest the seat of Kingsford Smith after it was vacated by Peter Garrett.

The Guardian

The deaths of Abu Omar al-Baghdadi and Abu Ayub al-Masri were a serious blow to Isis, but the roles they had vacated were quickly filled by the alumni of Camp Bucca – whose upper echelons had begun preparing for this moment since their time behind the wire of their jail in southern Iraq.

The Guardian

"The spectrum which will be used for the second national radio multiplex licence will be vacated by the end of 2007, thus enabling the service to launch any time from the beginning of 2008," Ofcom said today.

The Guardian - Business

Following the death of a state security officer and the wounding of two others near Slaviansk on Sunday, Turchynov gave a televised address in which he promised amnesty to those who had not fired at security forces if they laid down their arms and vacated government buildings.

The Guardian

He'd fought only once in the past 533 days – a points win over someone named Lukas Konecny – and vacated the WBO middleweight title rather than face Matt Korobov for a career-high $1.4m purse, a move that drew criticism.

The Guardian - Sport

(He once noted "A bank manager's rapid signature / of hair on the bath enamel" on entering a bathroom she'd just vacated).

The Guardian

It has filled the gap left by the Liberal Democrats, who have vacated the position as the party of protest, having opted for government instead.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vacated" when you want to indicate that a space, position, or dwelling was previously occupied but is now empty, often due to a formal action or decision.

Common error

While synonyms like "left" or "abandoned" might seem interchangeable, "vacated" often carries a more formal or legal connotation. Using a less formal word can weaken the impact or precision of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The word "vacated" primarily functions as a past participle of the verb "vacate". It describes a state of being emptied or relinquished. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vacated" is a past participle typically used to describe a state of being emptied or relinquished, often in a formal or legal context. Ludwig AI confirms that "vacated" is grammatically correct and widely used. Its register ranges from neutral to formal, and it is found primarily in news, business, and formal settings. When writing, it is important to note that replacing "vacated" with informal synonyms might reduce precision. Considering its communicative purpose, you can use "vacated" to provide clarity when something like a seat, position, or building is no longer occupied. Alternatives include "abandoned" or "left empty".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

left empty

Emphasizes the state of being unoccupied after someone has departed.

relinquished

Focuses on the act of voluntarily giving up a position or claim.

abandoned

Suggests a complete and often permanent desertion of a place or thing.

deserted

Highlights the emptiness and lack of inhabitants in a location.

cleared

Implies the removal of occupants or objects from a space.

yielded

Indicates giving way or surrendering a space or position.

gave up

A more informal way to express relinquishing or abandoning something.

moved out of

Specifically refers to the act of relocating from a place.

retired from

Used when someone leaves a position or role, often due to age or choice.

stepped down from

Similar to 'retired from', but can also imply resignation.

FAQs

How is "vacated" typically used in a sentence?

"Vacated" is often used to describe a position, building, or area that was previously occupied but is now empty. For example, "The office was "vacated" after the company moved to a new location."

What are some alternatives to using "vacated"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "vacated" include "abandoned", "relinquished", "left empty", or "cleared".

What's the difference between "vacated" and "abandoned"?

"Vacated" often implies a more formal or orderly departure, while "abandoned" suggests a more sudden or unplanned leaving. For example, a house might be "vacated" by its previous owners, but a car might be "abandoned" on the side of the road.

Is it correct to say "the position is being vacated"?

Yes, "the position is being vacated" is grammatically correct. It indicates that someone is in the process of leaving a role or position. You could also say "the position has been "vacated"" to indicate that someone has already left the position.