without even telling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without even telling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was done or occurred without prior notification or communication. Example: "She made the decision to move away without even telling her closest friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Without even telling me?

The New Yorker

He is not even larger than Coach Brad Childress, who fired Moss without even telling the Vikings' owner.

The New York Times - Sports

It is unacceptable to deny a person freedom without even telling them what they are suspected of.

The Guardian

Then in 2006, Mr. Kejriwal decided to quit the civil service to become a full-time social activist, tendering his resignation without even telling his wife.

The New York Times

Now we've reached the point where some films, such as Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins", get going without even telling us the name of the film itself.

The Economist

BETHESDA, Md. — ON her first morning in America, last summer, my daughter went out to explore her new neighborhood — alone, without even telling my wife or me.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

And even if you've never had a unit on transition metals before, I bet that you can answer this without me even telling you.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

So everything is piff this and buff that and bad and boujie this, and nobody alive says "MOOS" to mean "Member of the Opposite Sex", because it makes them sound like a retired army general offering to chaperone the local high school dance without anyone even telling him the dance was happening.

Vice

So everything is piff this and buff that and bad and boujie this, and nobody alive says "MOOS" to mean "member of the opposite sex," because it makes them sound like a retired army general offering to chaperone the local high school dance without anyone even telling him the dance was happening.

Vice

Instead of entering into multilateral negotiations to fulfil our commitments to the NPT, as Mulley had promised, the next Labour government in the mid-1970s, secretly modernised our Polaris nuclear WMD with Chevaline, without consulting or even telling, parliament.

The Guardian - Opinion

But even told without many laughs, Merton's story is worth reading.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "without even telling", ensure the context clearly indicates who was not informed and the potential consequences of this lack of communication. This adds depth and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "without even telling" when a simple lack of awareness is sufficient. Overusing this phrase can dilute its impact. Sometimes, simpler phrasing like "unbeknownst to" or "secretly" may be more appropriate to avoid excessive emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without even telling" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, adverb, or adjective. It indicates the manner in which an action was performed or a state occurred – specifically, that it happened without prior communication. Ludwig AI shows that is mostly used in news and media.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without even telling" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that emphasizes the lack of communication surrounding an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage in news and media. While appropriate for various registers, it's important to ensure the context warrants the added emphasis on the absence of communication. Alternatives like "without informing" or "secretly" can be used to adjust the tone or formality as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without so much as informing

Emphasizes the complete absence of information provided.

without any notification

Highlights the lack of any kind of formal notice.

without any prior notice

Stresses the absence of advance warning.

unbeknownst to

Focuses on the lack of awareness of the person affected.

secretly from

Highlights the act of keeping something hidden.

without a word to

Emphasizes the complete lack of verbal communication.

without consulting

Highlights the absence of seeking advice or permission.

without disclosing to

Focuses on the failure to reveal information.

without communicating to

Emphasizes the lack of any form of communication.

without giving notice to

Highlights the failure to provide any warning or announcement.

FAQs

How can I use "without even telling" in a sentence?

You can use "without even telling" to indicate that an action occurred without someone being informed, such as: "He left the company "without even telling" his manager".

What's a more formal alternative to "without even telling"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "without so much as informing", or "without any prior notification".

Is it grammatically correct to say "without even telling"?

Yes, "without even telling" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a lack of communication.

What is the difference between "without telling" and "without even telling"?

While both phrases indicate a lack of communication, ""without even telling"" adds emphasis to the surprising or inconsiderate nature of the action. The "even" highlights the unexpected lack of communication.