without his permission

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'without his permission' is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could use the phrase in a sentence such as: "She took out the book from the library without his permission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I couldn't go out without his permission.

The Guardian

(Cruz says the letter went out without his permission).

The New Yorker

She said she could not discuss it without his permission.

The Guardian

"You couldn't do anything without his permission," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

That she had flown to Madrid without his permission.

The Guardian - Opinion

He really hates people looking at him without his permission.

The Guardian

Roy ultimately discovers that Richard is working without his permission and comes calling.

The New York Times

Other people may not use a person's body for any purpose without his permission.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nobody is about to loan out Mr. Pryor, Mr. Murphy or Mr. Keaton without his permission.

The New York Times - Arts

Zaina cannot leave the country without his permission, which he has not granted, Ms. Carroll said.

The New York Times

This means you cannot legally use the plans without his permission.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formal documents or legal texts, consider using synonyms like "without his authorization" or "without his consent" for added precision.

Common error

Be cautious when assuming implied consent. Just because someone doesn't explicitly deny permission doesn't mean they've granted it. Always seek explicit permission when possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without his permission" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action was performed. Ludwig AI confirms that it’s grammatically correct. The examples show it describing actions done against someone's will or knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "without his permission" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that an action was performed without someone's consent or authorization. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase appears frequently in news articles, encyclopedias, and other sources. While the phrase is broadly applicable, more formal synonyms such as "without his authorization" or "without his consent" may be preferred in academic or professional writing. It's important to be mindful of the context in which permission is required, as assuming implied consent can lead to misunderstandings or ethical breaches.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without his authorization

Replaces "permission" with "authorization", a formal synonym.

without his consent

Substitutes "permission" with "consent", emphasizing agreement.

without his approval

Replaces "permission" with "approval", highlighting endorsement.

without his okay

Uses "okay" instead of "permission", creating a more informal tone.

without his blessing

Replaces "permission" with "blessing", suggesting approval or support.

unbeknownst to him

Shifts focus to the person's lack of knowledge rather than explicit permission.

behind his back

Indicates secrecy and potential deception.

on his own initiative

Emphasizes acting independently, possibly without required permission.

in defiance of his wishes

Highlights direct opposition to the person's desires.

against his will

Emphasizes coercion or lack of voluntary agreement.

FAQs

What does "without his permission" mean?

The phrase "without his permission" means that an action was taken or something was done without the express consent or authorization of the person referred to as "his".

How can I use "without his permission" in a sentence?

You can use it to indicate a lack of authorization. For example: "She used his car "without his permission"."

What are some alternatives to "without his permission"?

Alternatives include "without his consent", "without his authorization", or "without his approval".

Is it always wrong to do something "without his permission"?

Generally, acting "without his permission" is wrong if permission is required or expected. However, there might be exceptional circumstances where it is justifiable, such as in emergencies.