without him

USAGE SUMMARY

"without him" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the absence of an individual from a situation. For example, "We had a great time at the party, but it wouldn't have been the same without him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Literature

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Without him?

The Guardian - Music

Without him, good luck.

The New York Times - Food

They started without him.

The New York Times

Better off without him?

Independent

"We'd be lost without him".

The New York Times - Sports

I can do without him.

The New Yorker

Pop did happen without him.

The New Yorker

Without him, Apoel clung on.

The New York Times - Sports

Without him, everything is lost.

Independent

Is Arsenal worse without him?

The New York Times

"Not without him, they're not.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without him" to clearly indicate the absence or lack of involvement of a specific male individual in a situation or event. It is suitable for various contexts, from informal conversations to formal writing.

Common error

Ensure the pronoun "him" has a clear and unambiguous antecedent. Avoid using "without him" if it's unclear who "him" refers to, as this can cause confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without him" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or clause to indicate the absence or lack of involvement of a specific male individual. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without him" is a grammatically sound and very common prepositional phrase used to denote the absence or lack of involvement of a specific male individual. Ludwig AI validates its widespread applicability across various domains, including news, sports, and literature. While its register is generally neutral, its effective use relies on clear pronoun reference and an understanding of the context in which it's applied. Remember to explore related phrases to enrich your writing and avoid common errors related to pronoun ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without his participation

This option stresses that he is not taking part in something.

in his absence

This alternative emphasizes the state of being away, focusing on the duration or period.

lacking his presence

This option highlights the missing aspect of his being there, suggesting a void.

in the absence of him

This is a more formal way of expressing the original phrase, suitable for specific contexts.

excluding him

This focuses on the act of leaving him out of a group or activity.

if he weren't there

This version offers a conditional perspective, describing a scenario that doesn't include him.

absent his involvement

This option suggests that his participation or contribution is not included.

minus his contribution

This option emphasizes the absence of his specific input or effort.

devoid of his input

This highlights the lack of his contribution, opinion, or influence.

had he not been present

This is a more formal and hypothetical way of expressing the original meaning.

FAQs

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

You can use "without him" to indicate the absence of a male individual. For example, "The team struggled "without him" on the field" or "The project wouldn't have succeeded "without him".

What are some alternatives to saying "without him"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in his absence", "lacking his presence", or "excluding him", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "without him"?

While less common, starting a sentence with "without him" can be grammatically correct and effective for emphasis. For instance, "Without him, the entire operation would have failed."

What's the difference between "without him" and "without his"?

"Without him" refers to the absence of the person directly. "Without his" typically precedes a noun, referring to the absence of something belonging to or associated with him, such as "without his knowledge".