Without

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Without" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the absence of something or to express a condition that does not include a particular element. Example: "Without proper guidance, it can be challenging to navigate complex situations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.

The New York Times

"This will ensure that persons with facial coverings can continue to enter the Chamber galleries, without needing to be identifiable".

The Guardian

And not without reason.

The New York Times

Not without reason.

The New York Times

Without her taking a side, it cast just the right element of doubt over the nature of the decision".

The Guardian

They were arrested as a result of the British policy of internment without trial in 1971 when thousands of suspects, mainly from Ireland's nationalist-republican community, were rounded up.

The Guardian

Whichever view you take, multicultural and tolerant or disapproving and fearful, the awkward fact is that we have not been breeding fast enough (or young enough) to keep society functioning without outside help, let alone educating ourselves to the levels a post-industrial economy is going to need.

The Guardian

Gray died a week after he was arrested on 12 April, then handcuffed and shackled in the back of a police van without a seatbelt.

The Guardian

Amendments adopted in 2014, for example, give authorities the right to cut internet and mobile phone access without judicial review.

The Guardian

"I was amazed to find that I slept that night without waking up once, and I can't remember the last time that happened.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"The protesters were issued with a without-notice injunction from the high court but I don't think the urgency was there to justify an injunction of this kind," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger synonyms like "devoid of" or "lacking" if you want to emphasize a severe deficiency. Keep your writing precise.

Common error

Ensure the context makes clear what the subject is "Without". Ambiguous references can confuse readers. Rewrite the sentence to clarify the relationship.

Linguistic Context

"Without" primarily functions as a preposition, indicating the absence or exclusion of something. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent and correct usage across various contexts. For example, 'He left without saying goodbye.' It can also function as an adverb or conjunction, albeit less frequently.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "Without" functions as a preposition to indicate the absence or exclusion of something. It is considered grammatically correct and very common across various writing styles, especially within News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. Ludwig AI highlights that "Without" can also be used as an adverb or conjunction, albeit less frequently. When using "Without", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what is absent. For alternative phrases, consider "Lacking", "Absent of", or "With no".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

With no

Simple and direct way to indicate the lack of something.

Lacking

Indicates a deficiency or absence of something, similar to not having.

In the absence of

Formal way to express the non-existence or lack of something.

Absent of

Emphasizes the state of being not present or available.

Devoid of

Stresses a complete lack or emptiness of something.

Missing

Indicates that something is not present or has been lost.

Minus

Directly indicates the subtraction or exclusion of something.

Exclusive of

Specifies something is not included or considered.

Barring

Indicates an exception or exclusion, often used conditionally.

But for

Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship of absence.

FAQs

How can I use "Without" in a sentence?

"Without" can be used as a preposition to indicate the absence of something. For example, "I can't imagine my life "without you"" or "He left "without saying goodbye"".

What's a more formal alternative to "Without"?

Formal alternatives to "Without" include "In the absence of", "Exclusive of", or "Barring". The choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "Without"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "Without", especially when introducing a conditional clause. For example, "Without effort, nothing great can be achieved."

Which is correct, "Without" or "With out"?

"Without" is the correct spelling. "With out" is a misspelling and should be avoided in formal writing.