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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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As empty as a

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as empty as a" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English
This phrase is used to describe something that is completely or nearly empty. For example, you could say "His desk was as empty as a desert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"It was as empty as a sarcophagus".

The tinderbox as empty as a train at 5 a.m.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Today, John's Restaurant was as empty as a freeholders meeting.

News & Media

The New York Times

"How did he threaten you?" My voice was as empty as a parrot's.

News & Media

The New Yorker

By then the ship's decks are as empty as a drive-in theater after the final credits.

News & Media

The New York Times

Christopher Gray is right in describing the Manhattan Bridge walkway [Streetscapes, Jan . 18] "often as empty as a Kansas prairie".

News & Media

The New York Times
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"There is nothing as empty as an empty hotel," he remarked.

News & Media

The Guardian

But all I "see" is as white as a polar bear and as empty as an iceberg.

News & Media

The New Yorker

On the other hand, I think that the real artistic middlebrow is ubiquitous and central and that contempt for it is tantamount to (and as empty as) an adolescent repugnance for the "bourgeois". Many of the greatest novels are middlebrow.

News & Media

The New Yorker

On the other hand, I think that the real artistic middlebrow is ubiquitous and central — and that contempt for it is tantamount to (and as empty as) an adolescent repugnance for the "bourgeois".

News & Media

The New Yorker

On the other hand, I think that the real artistic middlebrow is ubiquitous and central and that contempt for it is tantamount to (and as empty as) an adolescent repugnance for the "bourgeois".

News & Media

The New Yorker
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

When using the phrase "as empty as a", ensure the comparison object (e.g., room, promise, threat) effectively communicates the intended level of emptiness or lack of substance. Choose an object that your audience will readily associate with emptiness in the given context.

⚠ Common error

Avoid pairing "as empty as a" with overused comparisons such as "ghost town" or "broken promise" if the aim is to create a more original or impactful image. Instead, consider fresh analogies, like "as empty as a politician's conscience".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "as empty as a" is to serve as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by describing its state of emptiness in relation to another object or concept. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

12%

Academia

12%

⚠ Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as empty as a" is a grammatically sound and commonly used comparative adjective phrase used to describe the emptiness of something. According to Ludwig, the structure is correct. It appears frequently in News & Media sources. When using "as empty as a", it's beneficial to choose a comparison that is both relevant and evocative to create a stronger image for the reader. While the phrase is common and useful, avoid overuse of clichés to maintain originality in writing.

FAQs

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

You can use "as empty as a" to describe something that lacks content, substance, or meaning. For example, "The stadium was "as empty as a ghost town" after the game".

What are some alternatives to "as empty as a"?

Depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, you could use alternatives such as "as hollow as a", "as vacant as a", or "as bare as a".

Is it grammatically correct to use "as empty as a"?

Yes, "as empty as a" is grammatically correct and a common construction used for making comparisons.

What's the difference between "as empty as a" and "completely empty"?

"As empty as a" implies a comparison to something else that is typically considered empty, while "completely empty" is a more direct statement of emptiness without a specific comparison. The phrase is more evocative because relies on the readers capacity to create a connection.

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Real-world application tested

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