but without

USAGE SUMMARY

"but without" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is most often used when introducing the opposite of a previous statement. For example, "I love going to the beach, but without a good book, the experience would not be complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"But without getting married".

The New York Times

But, without revision, what?

The New Yorker

But without a boss.

The New Yorker

We're citizens, but without rights.

The New York Times

Military, but without actual tanks.

The New York Times

But without a spectacular revolution.

The New York Times - Sports

Bf1, but without success.

The New York Times - Style

but without much commercial success.

Waste Management

"O.K.," Constance agreed, but without enthusiasm.

The New Yorker

"I have 10 engineers, but without A.W.S.

The New York Times

But without Song, the Republic was doomed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but without" to introduce a specific exception or condition that contrasts with a previous statement. It effectively highlights what is not included or present.

Common error

Avoid using "but without" in constructions where the "but" is unnecessary. For example, instead of saying "It was good, but without being great", consider "It was good, but not great" or "It was good, though not great".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "but without" is to serve as a conjunction phrase introducing a contrasting element. It connects two parts of a sentence, highlighting an exception or a condition that is not present, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but without" is a commonly used conjunction phrase that introduces a contrasting element or exception to a previous statement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. When using "but without", ensure it effectively highlights the absence of something and avoids redundancy. Ludwig's examples showcase its broad applicability, while related phrases like "yet lacking" and "not including" can offer alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not including

Specifically excludes something from a set or condition.

but excluding

Similar to "not including", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the exclusion.

yet lacking

Emphasizes the absence of something despite the presence of something else.

while missing

Points out that something is absent during a particular state or event.

however, absent

Highlights the absence of a specific element as an exception.

even though lacking

Highlights a contrast where something is present despite the absence of something else.

though devoid of

Focuses on a complete lack of something, creating a stronger sense of absence.

except for the absence of

Explicitly states an exception due to the lack of something.

albeit minus

A more formal way of saying something is present but lacks a specific component.

notwithstanding the lack of

Acknowledges the absence of something but does not let it negate the main point.

FAQs

How can I use "but without" in a sentence?

Use "but without" to introduce a contrasting element or exception to a previous statement. For instance, "He tried to fix the car, "but without" the right tools".

What's a simple alternative to "but without"?

Alternatives include phrases like "yet lacking", "not including", or simply rephrasing the sentence to use "except" or "however".

Is it ever incorrect to use "but without"?

While grammatically correct, overuse or redundant use of "but without" can make sentences wordy. Ensure the "but" adds value and isn't simply restating the exclusion already implied by "without".

How does "but without" differ from "but not"?

"But without" typically introduces the absence of a specific element or condition, whereas "but not" can negate a quality or characteristic. For example, "He wanted to travel, "but without" spending too much" versus "He was rich, "but not" happy".