without any

USAGE SUMMARY

"without any" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to add emphasis to the idea that none of something is present, or to express that it is not necessary for something to happen. For example: "She completed the task without any help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Without any lies.

The New Yorker

without any real income.

The New Yorker

Without any assistance.

Independent

Without any doubt.

The New York Times - Magazine

They left without any announcements.

The New York Times

Some play without any shoes.

The New York Times

"They are without any foundation".

The New York Times

Without any announcement or decision.

The New Yorker

Ghosn: Without any doubt.

Yale University

That's without any doubt.

The Guardian

without any words".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without any" to emphasize the complete absence of something, especially when you want to highlight a surprising or unexpected lack. For instance, "She completed the marathon without any prior training."

Common error

Be careful not to use "without any" when the context already implies absence. For example, instead of saying "He spoke without any words", it's more concise to say "He remained silent."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without any" functions as a prepositional modifier, emphasizing the absence or lack of something in a given situation. It intensifies the negation implied by "without", as highlighted by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

21%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without any" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to emphasize the absence or lack of something. It's considered grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, from formal writing to casual conversation. Ludwig confirms its validity and usability. While alternatives like "with no" or "lacking any" exist, "without any" offers a stronger emphasis on the complete absence. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid redundancy, as Ludwig AI advises.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking any

Replaces "without" with "lacking", maintaining the sense of absence, with a subtle shift in tone towards deficiency.

free from

Emphasizes the absence of something negative or unwanted, focusing on the resulting state.

devoid of

Suggests a complete absence, often used in more formal or literary contexts.

absent of

Similar to "devoid of", indicating a lack of something, but can sometimes sound slightly less formal.

with no

A more direct and simple alternative, often used in everyday language.

excluding

Highlights the act of leaving something out or not including it.

minus

A concise way of indicating subtraction or absence.

bereft of

Suggests a state of being deprived of something essential, often carrying a more emotional tone.

missing

Focuses on the fact that something is not present or is absent.

unaccompanied by

Emphasizes that something exists alone, without the presence of something else.

FAQs

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

You can use "without any" to emphasize the absence of something. For example, "The project was completed "without any delays"" or "She succeeded "without any help"".

What's a simple alternative to "without any"?

A simple alternative is "with no". For example, instead of "without any doubt", you can say "with no doubt".

When is it better to use "without any" versus "without"?

"Without any" is used to emphasize a complete lack of something, while "without" can imply a partial lack or a condition. For example, "He left without saying goodbye" versus "He left "without any explanation"".

Is there a more formal way to say "without any"?

More formal alternatives include "devoid of" or "lacking any". For instance, "The argument was devoid of any logical reasoning."