Cool MateBlank vs Clear vs Empty
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Blank
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Clear
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Empty
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
| Blank | Clear | Empty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/blæŋk/"]/🇺🇸 /["/blæŋk/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/klɪə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/klɪr/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈempti/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈempti/"]/ |
| Meaning | An empty space or something that is not filled. | Easy to see through or understand. | Having nothing inside it. |
| Example | She handed me a blank piece of paper to write on. | The sky is very clear today, perfect for a picnic. | The box was empty, so I decided to fill it with toys. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | A2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, go, remain, completely, entirely, be, go, remain, completely, entirely, be, look, go, completely, totally, studiously | be, seem, become, extremely, fairly, very, to, clear and concise, be, seem, become, extremely, fairly, very, to, clear and concise, be, extremely, fairly, very, about, on, be, look, become, extremely, fairly, very, loud and clear, be, become, extremely, fairly, very, be, look, seem, completely, fairly, pretty, of | appear, be, feel, completely, entirely, quite, of, appear, be, feel, completely, entirely, quite, of |
| Antonyms | filled, completed, occupied | cloudy, unclear, muddy | full, occupied, loaded |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'blanket' - remember 'blank' means empty., Using 'blanks' incorrectly in plural when describing one empty space., Mixing up 'blank' and 'void' - 'void' is more formal and legal. | 'Clear' is often confused with 'clean.', 'Clear' is sometimes incorrectly used as a verb instead of an adjective., Learners may forget to use 'clear' to describe abstract concepts, like thoughts. | Using 'emptied' instead of 'empty' for describing a current state., Saying 'an emptyness' instead of 'emptiness' when referring to the state of being empty. |
| Usage notes | Use 'blank' when talking about something that is empty or not filled in, like a form. Avoid using it in very formal writing. | Use 'clear' to describe something easily understood or free of obstructions. It’s appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. Avoid using it in overly technical discussions where precision matters. | Use 'empty' to describe physical spaces, containers, or feelings. It may not be appropriate for formal writing when referring to more abstract concepts like 'empty promises'. |
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Frequently asked questions: Blank vs Clear vs Empty
What's the difference between Blank, Clear, and Empty?
Blank: An empty space or something that is not filled. Clear: Easy to see through or understand. Empty: Having nothing inside it.
Are Blank, Clear, and Empty the same CEFR level?
Blank: A2, Clear: A2, Empty: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Blank, Clear, and Empty?
Blank: adjective, Clear: adjective, Empty: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Blank: She handed me a blank piece of paper to write on. Clear: The sky is very clear today, perfect for a picnic. Empty: The box was empty, so I decided to fill it with toys.
Can I use Blank, Clear, and Empty interchangeably?
Not always. Blank, Clear, and Empty are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.