EMPTY OUT

Tiny House

"To find peace, one must first empty out the chaos within, creating a space for clarity and serenity to flourish."

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'empty out' means to remove contents from something completely or to evacuate a space or container, leaving it vacant.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'empty out' means to remove contents from something completely or to evacuate a space or container, leaving it vacant.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
Yes
The verb can be split by its object.
Register
Neutral
Appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.
Transitive
Yes
It requires an object to receive the action.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple empty out They empty out the storage every summer.
Past Simple emptied out She emptied out the drawer yesterday.
Present Continuous emptying out The volunteers are emptying out the trucks.
Present Perfect have emptied out We have emptied out the boxes for recycling.

💡 When to Use

Clearing spaces
Use when referring to cleaning or decluttering spaces by removing all or most items.
Example: "She had to empty out her closet for the renovation."
Draining liquids
Suitable when describing removing liquid completely from a container or space.
Example: "He emptied out the rainwater from the bucket."
Emotional context
Use metaphorically to describe releasing emotions or thoughts to gain mental clarity.
Example: "Talking to a friend helped him empty out his frustrations."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect tense
❌ Wrong: They empty out the jar yesterday.
✅ Correct: They emptied out the jar yesterday.
💡 Tip: Match the tense with the time expression.
Using intransitively
❌ Wrong: She emptied out quickly.
✅ Correct: She emptied out the suitcase quickly.
💡 Tip: Always specify what is being emptied.
Overseparating
❌ Wrong: Empty the room out completely.
✅ Correct: Empty out the room completely.
💡 Tip: Keep the verb and 'out' together when emphasis is clear.
Practice

EMPTY OUT - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

  1. Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
  2. Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
  3. Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

clear out evacuate

Antonyms

fill up

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"They need to ___ out all the drawers before moving."

clear
empty out
full
push

In Context

During the Great Depression, photographer Dorothea Lange undertook a project to document the lives of struggling Americans. Armed with her camera, she set out on journeys across the nation, capturing images that would later become iconic representations of that era. In her quest to uncover the raw reality of poverty, Lange often had to empty out her preconceived notions of despair, allowing her subjects to fill the frame with their own stories. Once, while visiting a migrant workers' camp in California, she witnessed the daily routine of a family who, despite intense hardship, emptied out their limited belongings every evening to create a semblance of home. The act of emptying out their modest possessions symbolized hope for better days. Lange's insightful perspective and ability to empty out traditional narratives of suffering from her mind allowed her to capture genuine and hopeful representations of human resilience. At the close of her journey, Lange would empty out her film rolls, eagerly anticipating the development of photographs that would later influence public perception and aid in policy reform. Her work remains a testament to her ability to see beyond the surface and empty out personal biases to appreciate the depth of human experience.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Empty Out

What is the origin of empty out?

+
The phrasal verb 'empty out' has origins in Old English, where 'empty' as a verb meant to remove contents. Over time, 'out' was added for emphasis.

Can empty out be used in formal and informal contexts?

+
'Empty out' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It conveys a clear action, making it suitable in various situations.

What is the difference between empty out and clear out?

+
While 'empty out' focuses on removing all contents completely, 'clear out' can imply making space by removing unnecessary items, not necessarily all.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Explore more phrasal verbs in our dictionary:

clear outclean outdrainvacateevacuate
Browse All Tiny House Phrasal Verbs
Tiny House Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey



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