vacuous statements

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vacuous statements" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe statements that are empty, lacking in meaning, or devoid of content. Example: "The politician's speech was filled with vacuous statements that failed to address the real issues at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Cynara describes herself as being "sweet, hot, strong and black -- like a good cup of coffee" -- and she is fond of making vacuous statements like "I would like to see Buckingham Palace, and the Thames River, and the white cliffs of Dover again".

The New York Times - Books

The negative form of such vacuous statements, e.g. "The king of France is not wise", is similarly neither true nor false.

SEP

Paul Johnson's vacuous statements in "A God-Fearing White House Is Safer" (Aug. 20, p. 37) would make one glad that he is British and not part of a U.S. administration.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"The Silicon Valley economy is improving, except for jobs -- and that's not a vacuous statement," he said.

The New York Times

You would also have no need for vacuous citizenship statements or flag waving exercises to prove you are a proud and loyal citizen.

The Guardian - Opinion

There follows a retreat into a vacuous assertion of competence.

Huffington Post

Most official guidelines and policy statements, even fuller than usual of vacuous general principles, aren't of much help in figuring how to do any of this.

The New York Times

Statements thus became empirically significant, however vacuous they had been on their own.

SEP

First, the program is vacuous — for the most part it's a statement of desired outcomes, not policies.

The New York Times

There are plenty of reasons for voters to fear Donald Trump, including his utter lack of government experience, his hair-trigger temperament, his bigoted statements about Muslims and Mexicans and his vacuous promise to "make America great again".

Los Angeles Times

But alongside Afriyie's statements in the debate, it's hard to see past this as being anything other than vacuous lip service, if you'll forgive the inevitable pun.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vacuous statements" when you want to critique assertions that lack substance or intellectual rigor. It's particularly effective in formal writing or when analyzing rhetoric.

Common error

Avoid using "vacuous statements" in casual conversation. Simpler terms like "empty words" or "meaningless talk" may be more appropriate for everyday communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vacuous statements" functions as a noun phrase, where "vacuous" is an adjective modifying the noun "statements". It typically serves to criticize or dismiss assertions lacking substance. As Ludwig shows, it’s frequently used to describe political rhetoric or abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vacuous statements" is a phrase used to describe assertions lacking substance or intellectual rigor. As the Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While relatively rare in overall usage, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When writing, use "vacuous statements" to critique claims with a critical tone, but consider simpler alternatives like "empty remarks" in informal settings. It is important to be aware of its connotation and use it judiciously to avoid sounding overly critical or dismissive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empty remarks

Replaces "statements" with "remarks", which has a slightly less formal tone.

hollow pronouncements

Substitutes both words, emphasizing the emptiness and often pompous nature of the statements.

meaningless declarations

Replaces "vacuous" with "meaningless" and "statements" with "declarations", highlighting the lack of significance.

insubstantial claims

Focuses on the lack of a solid foundation or evidence for the statements.

shallow assertions

Highlights the superficiality and lack of depth in the statements.

vapid comments

Uses "vapid" to convey a lack of flavor, zest, or interest, and "comments" as a less formal alternative to statements.

pointless remarks

Emphasizes the lack of purpose or value in the statements.

inane utterances

Replaces both words with stronger terms implying foolishness or silliness.

unfounded assertions

Highlights the lack of a solid basis or justification for the statements.

idle words

A more figurative expression suggesting the statements are empty and without consequence.

FAQs

How can I use "vacuous statements" in a sentence?

You can use "vacuous statements" to describe claims or declarations that lack substance or meaning. For example: "The politician's speech was full of "vacuous statements" designed to appease voters without addressing real issues."

What are some alternatives to "vacuous statements"?

Alternatives include "empty remarks", "hollow pronouncements", or "meaningless declarations". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "vacuous empty statements"?

Yes, saying "vacuous empty statements" is redundant because "vacuous" already implies emptiness. It's best to stick with just ""vacuous statements"".

What's the difference between "vacuous statements" and "misleading statements"?

"Vacuous statements" are empty and lack substance, while "misleading statements" are designed to deceive or create a false impression. A statement can be one, the other, or both.