TextRanch

The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

1. Input your text below.
2. Get it corrected in a few minutes by our editors.
3. Improve your English!

One of our experts will correct your English.

an empty gesture vs a token gesture

Both 'an empty gesture' and 'a token gesture' are correct phrases in English. They are comparable as they both refer to a symbolic action that lacks real significance or sincerity. The choice between them depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Last updated: March 15, 2024 • 839 views

an empty gesture

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe a symbolic action that lacks sincerity or real significance.

This phrase is used to describe a gesture or action that is devoid of genuine intent or meaning, often done just for show or to fulfill a formality.

Examples:

His apology seemed like an empty gesture, as he continued to behave in the same disrespectful manner.
The government's promise to address the issue was dismissed as an empty gesture by the public.
She offered him an empty gesture of sympathy, knowing she didn't truly care about his problems.

Show examples from the web [+]

Rocky: really? wow no ones ever actually taken us up on our offer before CeCe: yea havent you guys ever heard of an empty gesture? by Mac Is Fresh January ...
... S · T · U · V · W · X · Y · Z · English · English for Learners · French · German · Spanish · Italian. Your search found: an empty gesture; Usage examples; Trends ...
Sep 17, 2009 ... can't make an empty gesture with a funhouser! ... Come on Larry, everyone knows that you can't make an empty gesture to a Funkhouser.
Apr 24, 2015 ... Bill Nemitz: Tuition gift for Guard an empty gesture if done on the cheap. A Maine bill would force public colleges to absorb the cost of helping ...

Alternatives:

a meaningless gesture
a superficial gesture
a hollow gesture
a insincere gesture
a perfunctory gesture

a token gesture

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe a symbolic action that is done to make a symbolic effort or to satisfy a requirement.

This phrase is used to describe a gesture or action that is symbolic or minimal, often done to fulfill an obligation or to give the appearance of making an effort.

Examples:

The company's donation to the charity was seen as a token gesture, considering their massive profits.
The apology felt like a token gesture, lacking genuine remorse or effort to make amends.
The government's response was criticized as a token gesture, failing to address the root of the problem.

Show examples from the web [+]

an action or a decision that is so small or inconsequential as to be only symbolic. Offering to pay for my dinner was only a token gesture. That does little to make ...
Offering to pay for my dinner was only a token gesture. That does little to make up for my inconvenience. McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal ...
... think somebody/something is important, when really you are not sincere The government has only made a token gesture towards helping the unemployed.
ADJECTIVEThe announcement was welcomed as a step in the right direction, but was widely seen as a token gesture. Brazilian Portuguese: simbólico ...

Alternatives:

a symbolic gesture
a nominal gesture
a perfunctory gesture
a superficial gesture
a gesture of appeasement

Related Comparisons

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9).

"Thank you!"
Sachi Nakama July 2024
"I have literally been through chat, PI, claude, bard and bing and I got conflicting answers! Thank you! Human intelligence reigns!"
Retha July 2024
"Faster than AI"
CYNTHIA December 2023
"This was very helpful and I personally think this site is the best."
Kaden October 2023
"It was extremely thorough and very helpful!"
imperialelisa October 2023
"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"
Zubair Alam October 2023
"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."
Selena October 2023
"Without textranch I would be stuck!"
宏祐 October 2023
"Accuracy and fast response. Personal comments from editor. Thank you."
Clh September 2023
"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"
Arturo September 2023
"The fact that you can get reliable fast feedback on your texts."
Vinicius Antonio August 2023
"you guys are better than grammarly i'm being honest here"
ordinary July 2023
"OMG! This is really good than any other text correction tools I've used so far. Highly recommend this."
Vehan July 2023
"Very fast and accurate. thank you."
mojtaba July 2023
"I love this app because it's help to writing skills all of students ♥️"
Tarisini July 2023
"This was exactly the mistake I was looking for, the wording dind´t sound right at first. Better than grammarly!"
Ente July 2023
"The immediate help that I received was reassuring and very satisfactory. Thanks."
priiiyanshuu July 2023
"this helps A LOT for my studies."
kathnunez02 June 2023
"Woow!! I would never have expected such precision! Thank you soooo much!!"
Berta June 2023
"Real Time Editor and not AI. Many Thanks."
Priya June 2023
"The very first thing excites me about Textranch is how much your editors care."
sepideh June 2023
"The fact that texts are checked by human editors rather than by AI, etc. I appreciate this!"
Анна June 2023
"Feel welcome, immediate response, high quality feedback"
martin.roy June 2023
"This is the best app that I have ever seen"
Burulai May 2023

Why choose TextRanch?

Lowest prices
Up to 50% lower than other online editing sites.

Fastest Times
Our team of editors is working for you 24/7.

Qualified Editors
Native English experts for UK or US English.

Top Customer Service
We are here to help. Satisfaction guaranteed!