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 where something is not present. Example: "She completed the project without any assistance from her colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

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

When using "without", ensure the sentence structure clearly indicates what is lacking. Ambiguous phrasing can lead to misinterpretation.

Common error

Be careful not to create double negatives when using "without". Phrases like "not without" can become confusing if not carefully constructed. Rephrase to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "without" is to act as a preposition, indicating the absence or lack of something. It can also function as an adverb, meaning 'outside', or a conjunction, introducing a clause of exception. As Ludwig AI highlights, it denotes the state of not having something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without" functions primarily as a preposition to denote the absence or lack of something, but can also serve as an adverb or conjunction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and versatile. Given its frequent appearance in sources like The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Economist, its register is largely neutral, making it appropriate for diverse writing styles. Remember to avoid double negatives and ensure clarity in your sentence structure. Alternatives such as "lacking" or "in the absence of" may be suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without any

Adds emphasis to the absence of something.

not having

Directly states the lack of possession of something.

missing

Simply states that something is not present.

lacking

Expresses the absence of something, often implying a deficiency.

excluding

Indicates that something is not included or considered.

absent of

Indicates that something is not present or available.

omitting

Suggests a deliberate leaving out of something.

devoid of

Emphasizes a complete lack of something, often in a negative context.

in the absence of

Formally expresses the lack of something.

bereft of

Suggests a loss or deprivation of something.

FAQs

How to use "without" in a sentence?

"Without" can be used to indicate the absence of something. For example, "She completed the project "without assistance"."

What can I say instead of "without"?

You can use alternatives like "lacking", "absent of", or "devoid of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "with no" or "without"?

"Without" is generally more concise and preferred. However, "with no" can be used for emphasis. For example, "He arrived "with no warning"" emphasizes the suddenness.

What's the difference between "without" and "excluding"?

"Without" generally indicates the absence of something, while "excluding" specifically means leaving something out. For example, "The room was empty "without furniture"", versus "The price is $500, "excluding taxes"."