without his handgun

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without his handgun" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is lacking their handgun, often in contexts related to safety, security, or personal protection. Example: "He felt vulnerable walking through the dark alley without his handgun."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But not without his handgun.

Independent

He never goes anywhere, he explains, home or abroad, without his handgun.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Along the way, Paul Cai disassembled his handgun, threw the handgun parts to an empty lot on the right side.

The New York Times

He went anyway but took his handgun as a precaution.

The Guardian

The deputy reached for his stun gun but accidentally grabbed his handgun and fired.

The New York Times

Then they said they saw Mr. Chamberlain grab a knife, and an officer fired his handgun.

The New York Times

Mr. Zimmerman reacted very differently, taking out his handgun and shooting the youth in cold blood.

The New York Times

Detective Nuciforo reinforced his jacket lining so his handgun would not wear a hole in it.

The New York Times

He had removed his turban, laying it beside his handgun and bandoleer.

The New York Times

The online blueprint for his handgun – the Liberator – has been downloaded 100,000 times since it was released in May.

Independent

Then, after Scott started to run away, Slager pointed his handgun and shot him in the back again and again.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations. Using "without his handgun" can suggest vulnerability, defiance, or adherence to rules, depending on the scenario.

Common error

Avoid using "without his handgun" in highly formal or technical documents. Opt for more precise and professional language such as "unarmed" or "not possessing a firearm" to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without his handgun" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the absence of a handgun. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. The phrase describes a state of being unarmed in a specific instance.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without his handgun" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate the absence of a handgun. As Ludwig confirms, it is often found in news and media contexts to describe a character's state or situation, often highlighting vulnerability or a deviation from an expected norm. Although grammatically sound, consider more precise language in highly formal writing. The phrase is not particularly frequent and is best suited for neutral to slightly informal registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without his firearm

Replaces "handgun" with a more general term, "firearm".

without his sidearm

Replaces "handgun" with the synonym "sidearm".

lacking his handgun

Uses "lacking" instead of "without", emphasizing absence.

not carrying his handgun

Focuses on the act of carrying the handgun.

absent his handgun

Uses "absent" to denote the lack of the handgun.

devoid of his handgun

Emphasizes a complete absence of the handgun.

minus his handgun

Uses "minus" to indicate the absence of the handgun.

unarmed, in place of his handgun

Highlights the state of being unarmed specifically because the handgun is missing.

excluding his handgun

Uses "excluding" to point out the absence of the handgun.

bereft of his handgun

Emphasizes a sense of loss or deprivation regarding the handgun.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "without his handgun"?

You can use alternatives such as "lacking his firearm", "unarmed", or "not carrying his weapon" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "without his handgun"?

Yes, "without his handgun" is grammatically correct. It's a prepositional phrase indicating the absence of a handgun.

What does "without his handgun" imply?

The phrase "without his handgun" implies that a specific individual does not have their handgun with them, which can suggest a state of vulnerability, adherence to regulations, or a change in circumstances.

In what contexts is "without his handgun" typically used?

It's often used in news reports, crime stories, or fictional narratives where the absence of a firearm is a relevant detail. In formal contexts, more precise language might be preferred.