without foul

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without foul" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "without fail," which means to do something consistently or reliably. Example: "Please submit your reports without fail by the end of the week."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But what if you want to kill someone without foul play being immediately suspected?

The Guardian

The studio and several of its business partners also said they had overwhelming evidence that the original script was created more than 15 years ago, without foul play, by its credited author, a virtually unknown screenwriter named Randy Brown.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But I just got to find a way to stay aggressive without fouling".

The New York Times - Sports

On that flat afternoon, Alyea tried to intimidate Larsen without fouling him at the buzzer, and wound up doing neither.

The New York Times - Sports

His knack for confronting driving players without fouling them confounded Carmelo Anthony and J. R. Smith of the Knicks for six games in the second round.

The New York Times - Sports

He sat out about three minutes early in the second half after being whistled for his fourth foul, but was able to finish the game without fouling out.

The New York Times - Sports

Gonzaga guard Jeremy Pargo had trouble keeping up without fouling, which he did three times in the first half, limiting him to 11 minutes.

The New York Times - Sports

A former Georgetown center, he excels at waiting for the last possible moment to leave his man to challenge a drive, and he diagnoses plays early so he can be in position to contest shots without fouling.

The New York Times - Sports

Bell survived the final six minutes without fouling out and scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half to keep the Eagles (27-4) from nosediving out of the tournament in the first round.

The New York Times - Sports

And it's too early to say whether certain white-collar work can be done so many miles and time zones away without foul-ups.

Forbes

Normally, a crane block is outfitted with swivel hooks that allow the mass being lifted to be rotated without fouling the multiple parts of reeving.

Pressure Vessel and Stacks Field Repair Manual

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the phrase "without foul", consider using more common and grammatically correct alternatives such as "without error", "without a mistake", or "flawlessly" to ensure clarity and professionalism in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "without foul" when you intend to convey "without fail." The word "foul" typically refers to something offensive or a violation of rules, not a lack of consistency or reliability. Using "without fail" ensures your message is clear and grammatically sound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without foul" is a prepositional phrase that attempts to indicate the absence of something negative or undesirable. However, it's not a standard or grammatically correct expression, as indicated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Sports

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "without foul" might seem like a logical construction, it is not considered standard English. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect. Its intended purpose is likely to convey the absence of errors or negative actions. For clarity and accuracy, it is best to use alternatives such as "without fail", "flawlessly", or "without error". These alternatives ensure that your message is communicated effectively and professionally.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without error

Focuses on the absence of mistakes, shifting from potential wrongdoing to accuracy.

without mistake

Similar to "without error", emphasizing the lack of inaccuracies.

flawlessly

Highlights perfection and the absence of any defects or shortcomings.

perfectly

Similar to "flawlessly", emphasizing accuracy and precision.

without a hitch

Suggests that something occurred smoothly, without any unexpected problems.

seamlessly

Implies a smooth and effortless transition or execution, avoiding any disruptions.

without incident

Focuses on the absence of noteworthy or disruptive events.

uneventfully

Similar to "without incident", suggesting a lack of significant occurrences.

without problems

Broadly indicates the absence of any difficulties or troubles.

without difficulty

Emphasizes the ease and lack of struggle in achieving something.

FAQs

What does "without fail" mean, and how does it differ from "without foul"?

"Without fail" means consistently or reliably. The Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase "without foul" is not correct in standard written English. Use "without fail" to express consistency.

When is it appropriate to use "without fail" in a sentence?

Use "without fail" when you want to emphasize that something must be done consistently or reliably. For example, "Please submit your reports "without fail" by the end of the week."

Are there alternatives to "without fail" that I can use?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "without exception" or "without delay", depending on the context.

Is "without foul" ever correct in English?

The phrase "without foul" is not standard English and is generally considered incorrect. Consider alternatives like "without error" or "without mistake" if you intend to convey absence of errors or wrongdoing.