without a trace of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without a trace of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate the complete absence of something. Example: "He left the scene without a trace of his presence." Alternative expressions include "without any sign of" and "with no evidence of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Without a trace of a smile, Mlle.

The New York Times

Alba listened without a trace of annoyance.

Harvard Business Review

He was equable and fair without a trace of pompousness.

The Guardian

"Oh it is," he said, without a trace of irony.

The New York Times - Arts

Black is serious, fearsome and without a trace of detachment.

The Guardian

Larionov told reporters later, without a trace of sarcasm: "Fantastic.

The New York Times - Sports

"The weather," he said, without a trace of sarcasm.

The New York Times

Musser went about his work without a trace of bitterness.

The New York Times

But, without a trace of doubt, he crossed the empty street.

The New Yorker

Ettinger conducts with considerable urgency and without a trace of sentimentality.

The Guardian - Music

Yet "Away," without a trace of sappiness, finally lets its unforgiving world deliver redemption and grace.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without a trace of" to emphasize the complete absence of something, ensuring your language clearly conveys the lack of any indication or presence of the specified quality.

Common error

While versatile, "without a trace of" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "no sign of" or "not a hint of" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without a trace of" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun. It emphasizes the complete absence or lack of something. Ludwig examples show its frequent use in describing emotions, qualities, or physical evidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without a trace of" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that emphasizes the complete absence of something. It is considered grammatically correct and finds frequent application across various contexts, particularly in news and media. According to Ludwig, while it can sometimes sound overly formal, using it effectively involves ensuring that the language accurately conveys a total lack of indication or presence. Alternatives such as "completely devoid of" and "with no hint of" can be used to add stylistic variation. Understanding these nuances will help you confidently incorporate "without a trace of" into your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with no evidence of

Similar to showing no sign, but focuses on concrete evidence.

with no hint of

Suggests the absence of even a slight indication or suggestion of something.

showing no sign of

Highlights the lack of any visible or detectable indication of something.

completely devoid of

Emphasizes the total absence of something, similar to "without a trace of" but with a more formal tone.

without any sign of

Highlights the lack of any visible or detectable indication of something.

devoid of any

Like "completely devoid of", this phrase stresses the total absence of something.

entirely lacking in

Indicates a complete absence or deficiency. This alternative provides a slightly different emphasis on the missing quality.

lacking any

Simple and direct way to indicate the absence of something. More general in application.

absent of

A concise way to express the lack of something. Slightly more informal than "devoid of".

free from any

Indicates the absence of something, often implying a positive quality due to its absence.

FAQs

How can I use "without a trace of" in a sentence?

You can use "without a trace of" to emphasize the complete absence of something. For example, "He left the room "without a trace of" emotion" shows he didn't show any emotion at all.

What can I say instead of "without a trace of"?

You can use alternatives like "completely devoid of", "with no hint of", or "showing no sign of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "without a trace of" something?

Yes, "without a trace of" is a grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase in English to indicate the complete absence of something.

What's the difference between "without a trace of" and "with no sign of"?

While both phrases indicate absence, "without a trace of" often implies a more thorough or complete disappearance or lack, whereas "with no sign of" simply means there's no indication or evidence.