without his knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without his knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was done or occurred without a person's awareness or consent. Example: "She made the decision to change the project timeline without his knowledge, which caused some confusion among the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The aide began the investigation without his knowledge, he said.

The New York Times

It was released, he has said, without his knowledge.

The New Yorker

The Oscars were placed in his truck without his knowledge".

The Guardian - Film

They could well be acting without his knowledge.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said All Borough must have prepared the addendum without his knowledge.

The New York Times

He appealed, saying that the claim was made without his knowledge.

The New York Times

He declined, and then, without his knowledge, another subcommittee member drafted a stern code of ethics.

The New York Times

Sometimes, he said, his name had been used without his knowledge.

The New Yorker

Later, Alexson discovered that his colleague Stephen Lindsay had made the sale without his knowledge.

The New Yorker

But it contains lengthy footage of him that could not have been shot without his knowledge.

The New York Times

"He told Dr Parkinson that this had been done without his knowledge.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where someone was unaware of something, ensure the context clearly indicates who was uninformed and what the consequences were. For instance, "The decision was made "without his knowledge", leading to unexpected delays."

Common error

Be precise: "without his knowledge" means unaware, not necessarily unapproved. If the point is that he didn't approve, use "without his consent" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without his knowledge" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an action occurred unbeknownst to the person in question. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is standard and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without his knowledge" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase indicating that something occurred without a person's awareness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news reports to casual conversations. Remember to choose this phrase when the focus is on a lack of awareness, and consider alternatives like "without his consent" if the emphasis is on a lack of permission. With its prevalent use across diverse sources, "without his knowledge" remains a reliable and versatile expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unbeknownst to him

Emphasizes the lack of awareness on his part; slightly more formal.

without his awareness

Focuses on the absence of his perception or realization.

without him knowing

A more direct and informal way of expressing the same idea.

unbeknown to him

A synonym of "unbeknownst to him", slightly less common.

behind his back

Implies secrecy and potential disapproval.

without his consent

Highlights the lack of permission or agreement.

without his input

Indicates that his opinion or participation was not included.

under the radar

Suggests that the action was deliberately concealed.

secretly

Focuses on the concealed nature of the action.

clandestinely

Highlights the secret and often illicit nature of the action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "without his knowledge" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "unbeknownst to him" or "without his awareness". These options often suit academic or professional contexts better.

Is it always appropriate to use "without his knowledge", or are there situations where it's better to use another phrase?

While generally acceptable, "without his knowledge" may not always be the best choice. If the emphasis is on the lack of permission, "without his consent" is more accurate. If secrecy is involved, consider "behind his back".

What is the difference between "without his knowledge" and "without his consent"?

"Without his knowledge" means he was unaware of something. "Without his consent" implies he was not asked for or did not give permission. The former focuses on awareness, while the latter concerns permission.

Can "without his knowledge" be used in legal contexts?

Yes, "without his knowledge" can be used in legal contexts to describe a lack of awareness. However, be precise and ensure it accurately reflects the situation. If the legal issue revolves around permission, "without his consent" might be more appropriate.