without anyone telling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without anyone telling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to actions or events that occur without being prompted or instructed by others. Example: "She managed to solve the problem without anyone telling her how to do it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

For them to quietly let the station evaporate, without anyone telling anybody, is a mistake".

The New York Times

They have the ball at their feet without anyone telling them what to do".

The New York Times - Magazine

"I can make my own music now without anyone telling me to change something on a song," he said.

The New York Times

"These people had to make do on their own without anyone telling them how to do it.

The New York Times - Arts

You can practice as long and as loudly as you like without anyone telling you to "ssshhh".

The New York Times - Tech

We walked out of our hotel and there was a police van with criminals or who knows what they are, walking into the cage without anyone telling them.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Without anyone to tell me what to do or how and when to do it, I have often been overwhelmed with doubt.

Huffington Post

I wanted to help him and hurt neither him nor the others … without consulting with anyone and without telling anyone, four days after the raid of 13 February 2013 I decided one night to destroy those paintings by burning them.

The Guardian - Arts

I quietly had panic attacks without realizing and without telling anyone.

Huffington Post

He can see what his family is doing, without anyone needing to tell him.

The New Yorker

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Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without anyone telling" to emphasize the autonomy or independence of an action. It's particularly effective when highlighting self-reliance or a lack of external influence.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences in the passive voice when "without anyone telling" can directly attribute the action to the subject. For instance, instead of 'Mistakes were made without anyone being told', use 'They made mistakes "without anyone telling" them'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without anyone telling" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates that an action occurred independently and without external instruction or prompting. Ludwig AI examples show its use in emphasizing autonomy or lack of guidance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without anyone telling" is a useful prepositional phrase that emphasizes the autonomy, spontaneity, or lack of guidance behind an action. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it's grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it maintains a generally neutral tone, it serves to highlight self-reliance or unexpected behavior, making it effective in a variety of writing scenarios. Keep in mind that while the phrase is effective, alternatives like "independently" or "without being instructed" may offer more concise or formal options depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without being instructed

Highlights the absence of specific directions or commands.

without guidance

Highlights the lack of external advice or support.

unprompted

Emphasizes the lack of external encouragement or initiation.

of one's own accord

Stresses the voluntary and independent nature of the action.

on one's own initiative

Focuses on the self-directed nature of the action.

under one's own steam

Focuses on self-reliance and personal effort.

independently

Emphasizes the autonomous nature of the action.

without prior notice

Emphasizes the lack of advanced notification.

spontaneously

Highlights the impulsive and unplanned nature of the action.

out of the blue

Emphasizes the unexpected and sudden nature of the event.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "without anyone telling" in a more formal way?

Consider using phrases like "without external instruction" or "acting on one's own initiative" as more formal alternatives to "without anyone telling".

What's the difference between "without being told" and "without anyone telling"?

"Without being told" is a more general passive construction, while "without anyone telling" specifically emphasizes that no person provided the instruction. The choice depends on whether you want to focus on the lack of instruction or the absence of an instructor.

Is it ever better to use "independently" instead of "without anyone telling"?

Yes, if the focus is solely on the autonomous nature of the action, "independently" is more concise. However, "without anyone telling" highlights the absence of guidance, which can add a different layer of meaning. For example: "She completed the project "independently"" vs "She completed the project "without anyone telling" her what to do".

Can "without anyone telling" be used in negative contexts?

Yes, it can. For example, "He left "without anyone telling" him he was fired" illustrates a negative situation where information was withheld.