without consent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without consent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it (or a variation of it, such as "without permission") when you need to express that someone is doing something without the approval of another party. For example: "The landlord entered the tenant's apartment without consent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is sex without consent.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Sex without consent is rape," he added.

Independent

Before women were married off without consent.

The Guardian

"Intergenerational debt can be taxation without consent.

The Guardian

May force ever be used without consent?

University of California, Berkeley

"They can't perform any circumcision without consent.

The New York Times

"Public without consent, public without context and public without compassion".

The Guardian

Any children without consent have been blurred in programmes".

The Guardian

You described kissing women without consent, grabbing their genitals.

The New Yorker

The age for marriage without consent in Spain is 18.

The Guardian

Wigs and hairpieces are banned without consent from a doctor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or ethical matters, use "without consent" to clearly indicate that an action was not agreed upon or authorized by the involved parties.

Common error

Don't assume that a lack of explicit objection implies consent. Silence or passivity doesn't automatically equate to agreement, especially in situations requiring informed and voluntary consent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without consent" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the absence of permission or agreement. Ludwig shows its common use in legal, ethical, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "without consent" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the lack of permission or agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. As the analysis shows, this phrase frequently appears in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business documents. Alternatives like "without permission" or "non-consensual" can be used depending on the specific context and desired formality. When using this phrase, it's crucial to remember that silence doesn't equal consent. Therefore, being specific and clear is key in any situation involving consent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without permission

A more common and readily understood alternative to "without consent".

non-consensual

A single-word adjective describing an action taken without consent.

without authorization

Replaces "consent" with the more formal term "authorization".

without approval

Similar to "without permission" but can apply in more formal contexts.

lacking consent

Emphasizes the deficiency or absence of consent.

without agreement

Focuses on the lack of mutual understanding or accord.

unauthorized

Adjective form indicating a lack of authorization.

in the absence of consent

More formal and emphatic way to express that consent is lacking.

absent consent

Uses "absent" to describe the lack of consent; slightly more formal.

against someone's will

Highlights the opposition to an action, focusing on the individual's desire.

FAQs

What does "without consent" mean?

The phrase "without consent" means that an action or activity occurred without the voluntary agreement or permission of the person involved. It emphasizes the lack of authorization or agreement.

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

You can use "without consent" to describe actions that lack permission. For example: "The data was collected "without consent" from the users."

What are some alternatives to saying "without consent"?

Some alternatives include "without permission", "without authorization", or "non-consensual", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "without consent" or "non-consensual"?

Both phrases convey a lack of agreement. "Without consent" is a prepositional phrase, while "non-consensual" is a single-word adjective. The best choice depends on the desired grammatical structure and level of formality.