What is void? Pronunciation and usage in English

void means . Learn how to pronounce and use void through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of void

voidnoun

/vɔɪd//vɔɪd/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "void." It's a tricky one because it's not always pronounced the way it looks!

Here are a few common pronunciations, with explanations:

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • ˈwaɪd (like the word "wide")
    • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("wi").
    • Sounds: "wi" sounds like "why."

2. The British English Pronunciation:

  • vɔɪd (rhymes with "boy")
    • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("voi").
    • Sounds: "voi" is pronounced like the vowel in "boy."

Here's a quick way to remember:

  • "Void" means empty, so think of the sound of "wide" for an American pronunciation.

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (American, British, or another English-speaking region?)

Usage and examples with the word void in English

Let's break down how to use the word "void" in English. It's a versatile word with several different meanings, so understanding the context is key. Here's a breakdown of its common uses:

1. As a Verb (To Make Something Invalid or Null)

  • Meaning: To cancel, invalidate, or make something no longer effective. It means to declare something as having no legal or official standing.
  • Examples:
    • “The contract was voided due to a mistake in the signature.” (The contract was canceled.)
    • “The judge voided the arrest warrant.” (The warrant was declared invalid.)
    • “The company voided the order after realizing it was a mistake.” (The order was canceled)
    • "He voided his credit card transaction." (He canceled the transaction)

2. As a Noun (An Empty Space or Absence)

  • Meaning: A completely empty space; a hollowness. It can also refer to a state of nothingness or lack.
  • Examples:
    • “There was a void in his memory after the accident.” (A blank space or missing memory.)
    • “The silence in the room created a sense of void.” (An emptiness or lack of sound.)
    • “The black hole created a void in spacetime.” (A region of empty space with immense gravity)

3. In Programming (A Function That Does Nothing)

  • Meaning: In computer programming, a "void" function is a function that doesn’t return any value. It performs an action but doesn't give back a result. (This is a technical term, primarily used by programmers.)
  • Example:
    • “This function is void; it just prints a message.” (The function doesn’t return anything.)

4. More Formal/Legal Usage (To Annul or Declare Null)

  • Meaning: Similar to the verb usage, it can be used formally to indicate something is declared to be invalid or not legally binding.
  • Example: “The agreement was declared void by the court.” (The agreement was ruled invalid.)

Key Distinctions & Nuances

  • "Null" vs. "Void": While often used interchangeably, "null" generally means "zero" or "nothing." “Void” has a stronger connotation of invalidity or cancellation. Think of "void" as more about setting aside or declaring invalid.

  • Legal Context: When “void” is used in a legal context, it’s a specifically serious declaration that the document or action is not legally enforceable.

Here's a table to summarize:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb To cancel or invalidate "They voided the ticket."
Noun An empty space or absence "There was a void in her understanding."
Programming A function that returns nothing "This is a void function."
Legal Declared invalid; not enforceable "The contract was declared void."

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to use "void" in? (e.g., a sentence, a story, a technical explanation)?
  • What is the general context? (e.g., law, programming, everyday conversation)?

Synonyms for the word void

Practice with vocabulary void

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The sudden departure of the project manager left a significant ________ in the team's leadership structure.
  2. If you fail to submit the required documents by the deadline, your application will be declared ________ and rejected.
  3. The contract stipulated that any breach of confidentiality would render the agreement ________.
  4. There was an unbridgeable ________ between the two departments, preventing effective collaboration.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. The ancient prophecy stated that the hero would eventually fill the cosmic ________. a) abyss b) chasm c) void d) expanse

  2. Which of the following terms describe a state of being completely empty or lacking substance? a) hollow b) vacant c) void d) barren

  3. If a clause in the contract is found to violate existing law, it is likely to be declared ________. a) invalid b) void c) unenforceable d) ambiguous

  4. The old building had stood ________ for years after its last tenants moved out. a) hollow b) desolate c) vacant d) abandoned

  5. We need to ________ the previous agreement and draft a new one to reflect the updated terms. a) revoke b) nullify c) cancel d) amend

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The agreement was completely without any legal standing due to a missing signature. Rewrite using "void":

  2. Original: Her sudden departure created an enormous emptiness in the department, which was hard to fill. Rewrite using "void":

  3. Original: The company decided to officially cancel the merger talks after irreconcilable differences emerged. Rewrite (do not use "void"):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. void
  2. void
  3. null
  4. chasm

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) abyss, c) void
  2. a) hollow, c) void, d) barren
  3. a) invalid, b) void, c) unenforceable
  4. b) desolate, c) vacant, d) abandoned
  5. a) revoke, b) nullify, c) cancel

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The agreement was declared void due to a missing signature.
  2. Her sudden departure left an enormous void in the department, which was hard to fill.
  3. The company decided to terminate the merger talks after irreconcilable differences emerged.

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