virtually empty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually empty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or object that is almost completely devoid of content or substance, but not entirely so. Example: "After the party, the fridge was virtually empty, with only a few leftovers remaining."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The wards are virtually empty.

The Economist

Our apartment is virtually empty.

The New York Times - Magazine

The bookshelves were virtually empty.

The New York Times

The store was virtually empty.

The New York Times

It was virtually empty.

The New York Times

Instead, it was virtually empty, too.

The New York Times

GIANTS STADIUM was virtually empty.

The New York Times - Sports

Thursday evening and Karaiskakis is virtually empty.

The Guardian - Sport

The rest of the country is virtually empty.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

After 17 months, Magar returned to Nepal virtually empty-handed.

The Guardian

Moving further westward, there is a virtually-empty rectangle with more grass visible than people.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually empty" to describe situations where something is almost, but not quite, entirely empty. This implies a very small amount of content or presence remains.

Common error

Don't overuse "virtually empty" to exaggerate emptiness when the situation is absolutely empty. Using just "empty" will be more impactful and accurate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually empty" functions as a descriptive modifier, typically used to qualify nouns. It indicates a state of near emptiness without complete absence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English to describe something almost completely devoid of content or substance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually empty" is a common and correct way to describe something that is close to being empty, but not quite completely so. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used in various contexts, most frequently in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that the situation genuinely implies a near-empty state rather than complete emptiness. Alternatives like "nearly empty" or "almost vacant" can be used for similar effect. Remember that "virtually empty" adds nuance, suggesting something lacks substantial content without being totally devoid.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost vacant

Emphasizes the degree of emptiness, suggesting it's close to being completely vacant.

nearly unoccupied

Focuses on the lack of occupants or inhabitants in a space.

practically deserted

Highlights the abandonment and lack of activity in a location.

largely unfilled

Indicates that a significant portion of a space or container is not filled.

scarcely populated

Specifically refers to a low number of people residing in an area.

essentially bare

Conveys a sense of fundamental emptiness, lacking essential contents.

next to nothing inside

Informal way to express the near absence of contents.

close to bare

Indicates a state that's approaching being bare or empty.

not far from empty

Highlights that the condition is approaching emptiness.

approaching emptiness

Emphasizes the process of becoming empty rather than a static state.

FAQs

What does "virtually empty" mean?

The phrase "virtually empty" means something is almost completely empty, but not quite. There might be a small amount of something left.

How can I use "virtually empty" in a sentence?

You can use "virtually empty" to describe a place, container, or even an abstract concept that is nearly devoid of content, such as "The stadium was "virtually empty" during the off-season."

What are some synonyms for "virtually empty"?

Alternatives to "virtually empty" include "nearly empty", "almost vacant", or "practically deserted", depending on the specific context.

Is "virtually empty" the same as "completely empty"?

No, "virtually empty" suggests something is close to being empty but retains a minimal amount of content, whereas "completely empty" means there is absolutely nothing left. Therefore, "completely empty" indicates a total absence.