without a match

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without a match" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the absence of a corresponding item or counterpart in a comparison or situation. Example: "The search for the missing document was fruitless, as it was found to be without a match in the database."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That ended without a match.

The New York Times

Altogether, this leaves 2.3 million young men without a match.

The New York Times

Why not pay off debt anyway, with or without a match?

The New York Times

Without a match, you would have to spend $400 to make your favorite charity $400 richer.

The New York Times - Magazine

I think every woman has at least a half-dozen earrings without a match".

The New York Times

Even without a match, the 401(k) has one practical advantage.

The New York Times

Without a match, the path to a cure becomes much less certain, in many cases even impossible.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Even the most well-run and efficient program cannot nearly double its enrollment without a matching increase in money.

The Washington Post

From an industrial perspective, this could enable an increase in product quality without a matching increase in the time and effort required to do so.

Applied Soft Computing

For samples without a matched control, a minimum allele frequency of 0.1 was required in addition to the coverage restriction for initial analysis.

Nature

Federal officials say the requirement was impossible to meet because no bank would provide such credit without a matching amount of collateral.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "without a match" to describe a situation, ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking a counterpart. For example, "The data was incomplete, with several entries without a match in the registry."

Common error

Avoid using "without a match" when the adjective "unmatched" is more concise and appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The sock was without a match", use "The sock was unmatched".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without a match" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often used adjectivally to describe a noun that lacks a corresponding pair or counterpart. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, indicating an absence or lack of equivalence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without a match" is a versatile and frequently used prepositional phrase that indicates the absence of a corresponding pair, counterpart, or equal. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted. It appears most commonly in news and media and scientific contexts, and its function is to highlight a state of being unpaired or unmatched. When writing, it's useful to ensure clarity regarding what lacks a match and to consider the more concise adjective "unmatched" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unmatched

This is a single-word adjective meaning not matched; lacks the preposition 'a'.

lacking a match

Uses 'lacking' instead of 'without', emphasizing the absence.

without equal

Indicates something is unparalleled, differing from a simple absence of a match.

incomparable

Highlights the uniqueness and superior quality, deviating slightly from a mere absence of a match.

peerless

Implies superiority and unmatched quality, shifting the focus from a simple lack of a pair.

unrivaled

Suggests no competition or equal, adding a competitive aspect absent in the original.

one of a kind

Emphasizes uniqueness and individuality, distinct from a lack of a corresponding item.

unique

Highlights distinctiveness, whereas the original phrase focuses on the absence of a counterpart.

distinct

Focuses on being clearly different, not necessarily lacking a match.

mismatched

Indicates an improper or unsuitable pairing, adding a negative connotation.

FAQs

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

You can use "without a match" to indicate a lack of correspondence or pairing. For example, "The database search returned no results, leaving the record "unmatched"."

What are some alternatives to "without a match"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "unmatched", "lacking a counterpart", or "incomparable".

Is it correct to say "without any match" instead of "without a match"?

While "without any match" isn't grammatically incorrect, "without a match" is more common and idiomatic. The choice depends on the desired emphasis.

What is the difference between "without a match" and "mismatched"?

"Without a match" simply indicates the absence of a corresponding item. "Mismatched", on the other hand, suggests an unsuitable or incorrect pairing.