without eating anything

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without eating anything" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone is abstaining from food, often in the context of fasting or a specific dietary choice. Example: "She managed to complete the marathon without eating anything during the race."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

They can fly for over 10 kilometers without eating anything.

The New York Times - Science

"For some people, it's been two days without eating anything.

Independent

Frustrated, she often shuts the door without eating anything.

The Guardian

I exercise first thing in the morning, without eating anything beforehand.

Columbia University

I spent eight or nine days without eating anything because it was very painful to swallow".

The Guardian

I sat in the American Hotel for 3 days, without eating anything.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Weed usually won, so I would have to spend a couple of days without really eating anything.

Vice

I can run for eight kilometers without even eating anything and I feel no side effects.

Conflict and Health

I'm not eating anything".

BBC

Like all athletes I think we have a relationship with food which involves feeling guilt if we eat anything without earning it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I mean, I liked it before I was pregnant, but I now literally won't eat anything without it".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing medical conditions or dietary restrictions, use "without eating anything" to clearly indicate complete food abstinence. This provides clarity, especially in instructions or reports.

Common error

Avoid using "without eating anything" when you mean someone has just skipped a single meal. This phrase indicates a longer duration of abstinence or a complete lack of food intake, not merely missing breakfast or lunch.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without eating anything" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate a state or condition of abstaining from food. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

20%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without eating anything" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that indicates the act of abstaining from food. As indicated by Ludwig, it’s commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts to describe situations ranging from dietary choices to conditions of food scarcity. While it can be used broadly, it’s best reserved for scenarios involving a complete lack of food intake rather than merely skipping a meal. Alternatives like "on an empty stomach" or "fasting" may be more appropriate depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consuming nothing

Emphasizes the lack of intake of any edible substance.

having eaten nothing

Emphasizes the action of not having consumed any food.

not having had any food

Similar to "having eaten nothing" but with a slightly different grammatical structure, focusing on the absence of food intake.

with no food intake

Formally describes the absence of food being consumed.

on an empty stomach

Refers specifically to the state of having no food in one's stomach, implying a lack of recent consumption.

abstaining from food

Highlights the deliberate act of refraining from eating.

fasting

Implies a voluntary or involuntary period of abstinence from food.

without taking nourishment

Highlights the act of not consuming anything needed for health and growth.

without any sustenance

Focuses on the lack of nourishment or means of maintaining life.

devoid of nourishment

Stresses the absence of nutritional value received.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "without eating anything"?

You can use alternatives such as "on an empty stomach", "having eaten nothing", or "fasting" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "without eating anything"?

Yes, "without eating anything" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English. Ludwig confirms its validity based on numerous examples from reliable sources.

What does "without eating anything" imply?

The phrase "without eating anything" typically implies a complete abstinence from food for a certain period, either voluntarily (e.g., fasting) or involuntarily (e.g., due to illness or lack of access to food).

Can "without eating anything" be used to describe simply skipping one meal?

While technically possible, using "without eating anything" to describe merely skipping a single meal can be misleading. It usually indicates a longer period of not consuming any food. It's more appropriate to say someone "skipped breakfast" or "missed lunch" in such cases.