within and without

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "within and without" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate something is true both in and outside a particular space or time. For example: Our church has experienced great changes within and without over the last year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Beautiful within and without.

The New York Times

The threat was both within and without.

The Guardian

She was beautiful both within and without.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her son speaks of her beauty within and without.

The New York Times

Syria's Alawite regime collapses from within and without.

The Washington Post

Along the way, however, the newspaper is being buffeted by attacks from within and without.

The New York Times

I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life".

The Guardian - Books

Will they hook up with other survivors to fight the enemies from within and without?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Thuggish, armed civilian groups also swore to defend the revolution against enemies within and without.

The Guardian

Many people both within and without Johns Hopkins's walls assumed that Krakauer had created the game.

The New Yorker

Haitian sovereignty has been contested, both from within and without, since the country's independence in 1804.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "within and without" to denote comprehensive coverage of both internal and external aspects, especially when discussing influences, characteristics, or perspectives.

Common error

Avoid using "within and without" when you only intend to refer to either internal or external aspects; the phrase specifically indicates both.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within and without" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, indicating the scope or extent to which something applies, encompassing both internal and external aspects. It describes the conditions, influences, or characteristics relevant to a subject, as highlighted by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "within and without" is a versatile expression used to indicate that something applies both internally and externally to a given subject. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in English, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While alternative phrases exist, such as "internally and externally", "within and without" offers a concise way to emphasize a comprehensive perspective. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context genuinely warrants consideration of both internal and external aspects to avoid misapplication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Internally and externally

Uses direct antonyms to express the same concept of inside and outside influences or characteristics.

Inside and outside

A more straightforward and common way to express the idea of both internal and external elements.

From within and from without

Adds emphasis on the source or direction from which influences or actions originate.

Both in and out

A shorter, less formal alternative that captures the essence of inclusion and exclusion.

Inwardly and outwardly

Focuses on the internal and external manifestations or expressions of something.

Intrinsically and extrinsically

Highlights the inherent and external factors that contribute to a situation or characteristic.

From the inside out

Emphasizes a process that begins internally and then affects the external environment.

Encompassingly

A single word that attempts to capture the all-inclusive sense of "within and without".

Comprehensive

Implies that all internal and external elements are considered or included.

Holistically

Suggests a consideration of the whole, including both internal and external aspects, but is more philosophical.

FAQs

How can I use "within and without" in a sentence?

Use "within and without" to indicate that something affects or exists both inside and outside a specific boundary or entity. For example, "The company faced challenges "within and without" during the economic downturn".

What phrases are similar to "within and without"?

Alternatives include "internally and externally", "inside and outside", or "from within and from without", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it redundant to use "both within and without"?

While "both within and without" isn't grammatically incorrect, the "both" is often unnecessary as "within and without" already implies inclusivity. Using "within and without" is generally sufficient.

When is it appropriate to use "within and without"?

It's suitable when you want to emphasize that something applies to both the internal workings or characteristics of something and its external environment or interactions. Using "internally and externally" is also a good choice.