they are without

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are without" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is missing or lacking for a group of people. Example: "They are without the necessary resources to complete the project." This sentence means that the group of people does not have the resources they need to finish the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are without force.

The New Yorker

"They are without any foundation".

The New York Times

Now they are without insurance.

The Economist

They are without merit.

Cornell University

They are without foundation".

The Guardian

They are without peer.

The Guardian - Music

They are without gender, reproducing "spontaneously".

The New Yorker

They are, without exception, bankers and industrialists.

The New York Times

Not that they are without fault.

The New York Times

They are without legal recourse.

The New Yorker

And they are without it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with abstract nouns like "merit", "foundation" or "peer" to maintain a professional and authoritative voice in argumentative writing.

Common error

Do not combine "they are without" with other words that already imply absence, such as "they are without any missing parts". This creates a tautology. Simply state "they are without the necessary parts" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are without" serves as a copular construction consisting of a plural subject, a linking verb and a prepositional head. It functions to define a attribute of the subject by negation. Ludwig examples show it often precedes nouns or noun phrases representing resources, rights or qualities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "they are without" is a highly effective and grammatically correct phrase for denoting absence. According to Ludwig AI data, it is a preferred construction in high-quality journalism and academic research when describing marginalized groups, legal merit or scientific conditions. It is more descriptive than "they lack" and provides a rhythmic weight to sentences. Whether you are writing a news report or a legal brief, this phrase allows for a clear and professional articulation of deficiency without sounding overly simplistic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they lack

uses a more direct, active verb instead of a prepositional phrase

they have no

emphasizes possession or the total absence of the object in question

they are devoid of

adds a higher level of formality and suggests a complete emptiness

they are missing

implies that the thing absent was expected or previously present

they are bereft of

conveys a sense of loss or profound deprivation

they remain without

highlights the persistence of the state of absence over time

they are short of

suggests an insufficient quantity rather than a total absence

they exist without

shifts focus to the state of existence or endurance despite the lack

they operate without

specific to functional contexts like business or mechanics

they stand without

often used metaphorically in legal or argumentative contexts

FAQs

How do I use "they are without" in a sentence?

You use it to indicate that a group lacks a specific resource or quality. For example: "The refugees are suffering because "they are without" adequate shelter."

What is a more active alternative to "they are without"?

A more direct and active alternative is "they lack", which functions as a transitive verb phrase rather than a state of being.

Is "they are without" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, it is very common in academic contexts. If you need even higher formality, consider using "they are devoid of" or "they are bereft of" depending on the specific nuance required.

When should I use "they are without" vs "they have no"?

Use "they are without" to emphasize the state of being or the external condition, whereas "they have no" is better for simple possession or lack thereof.