with no knowing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with no knowing" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express a lack of awareness or understanding about something. Example: "He proceeded with no knowing of the consequences that awaited him."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"The big difference this time is that we're going out there with no knowing of how the two boats' performances compare.

The New York Times - Sports

"Today these poor elderly women are looking after their adult children with no knowing what will happen when they die".

BBC

"Today these poor elderly women are looking after their adult children with no knowing what will happen when they die". If Sajidi and other campaigners are beginning to feel the wind turn, it is because the health ministry is finally beginning to fund pilot schemes for behaviourist schools, as well as early diagnosis centres.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He justified it by saying that if people were allowed to shoot burglars with impunity, there was no knowing "where such a principle would end".

The Guardian

I feel lucky at my age to finally catch beauty by the tail and have fun with it, because there's no knowing what tomorrow may bring.

Huffington Post

He arrived in spring training with no guarantees, knowing he was competing with Mark Sweeney, another left-handed pinch-hitter, for a roster spot.

The New York Times - Sports

These are people the police would never go see alone, or without stab-proof vests, mace spray, and radio contact but we're sent in with no one knowing where we are and armed just with a mobile phone.

Vice

These are people the police would never go see alone, or without stab-proof vests, mace spray and radio contact – but we're sent in with no one knowing where we are and armed just with a mobile phone.

Vice

Are you allowed to walk down the street with no one knowing who you are? Absolutely.

The New York Times

"We said yes! with no hesitation, knowing nothing about it". The Philo Apple Farm was born.

The New York Times - Magazine

The players said it was a sullen, awkward day, with no one knowing how to act.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "with no knowing" isn't grammatically incorrect, favor the more common and fluid alternative "without knowing" for clearer and more natural writing.

Common error

Avoid using "with no knowing" in formal contexts or when aiming for concise writing. Opt for alternatives like "without knowing" or "unaware" to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with no knowing" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate a lack of awareness or understanding. As Ludwig AI points out, it's not the most common construction, and alternative phrasing may be clearer.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "with no knowing" is grammatically acceptable but considered somewhat awkward and less common than its alternatives. Ludwig AI suggests it indicates a lack of awareness or understanding, functioning as a prepositional phrase. While appearing in reputable news sources, its infrequent use suggests favoring alternatives like "without knowing" or "unaware" for clearer and more natural writing. Using these more common alternatives ensures clearer communication and avoids potential awkwardness, especially in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without knowing

More common and natural-sounding alternative using "without" instead of "with no".

not knowing

A simpler, more direct way to express the lack of knowledge.

unaware

Conveys a lack of awareness more directly, simplifying the phrase.

oblivious

Implies a stronger sense of unawareness, often suggesting a lack of attention.

ignorant of

More formal, indicating a lack of knowledge about something.

uninformed about

Highlights the lack of information as the cause of not knowing.

unbeknownst to

Adds a sense of secrecy or hidden information.

without awareness of

A more verbose but grammatically sound alternative.

lacking knowledge of

Emphasizes the absence of knowledge.

in ignorance of

Formal and somewhat archaic, implying a lack of understanding.

FAQs

What's a more common way to say "with no knowing"?

The phrase "with no knowing" isn't common. A better alternative is "without knowing", which sounds more natural in most contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "with no knowing"?

While grammatically correct, "with no knowing" is rarely the best choice. It might be used for emphasis in specific, literary contexts, but alternatives are usually preferable.

Is "with no knowing" grammatically incorrect?

No, "with no knowing" is grammatically sound, but its usage is awkward and infrequent. There are smoother, more commonly used phrases with the same meaning, such as "unaware".

Which is better, "with no knowing" or "without knowing"?

"Without knowing" is generally better. It's more common, sounds more natural, and is less likely to strike readers as awkward than "with no knowing".