without his son

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without his son" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the absence of someone's son in a particular context or situation. Example: "He felt incomplete without his son by his side during the ceremony."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Elian's father was without his son for five months.

The New York Times

Let him go without his son, or the son go without his father.

The New York Times

But Xiao Chaohua is preparing to spend his sixth new year without his son, who was abducted in 2007 by suspected child traffickers.

The Economist

Feeling his way, Friedman asked, "So Larry is left without his museum friends, and without his son?" Stiller deadpanned, "He commits suicide... and the trilogy comes to an end".

The New Yorker

As time passes without his son's release Shalit's father grows old, with a beard and a cane.

The Guardian

But Davis also writes with wonderful humor of his father's worship of the television, the Emerson console whose shows he couldn't understand without his son's help.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Without informing his son, Evans secretly negotiated in 1984 to sell the company at a price that seemed unfair to shareholders -- a deal that would have cost Sheldon his job.

The New York Times - Books

For the better part of a decade, no one could do business with Ted Williams without going through his son, John Henry.

The New York Times - Sports

The 59-year-old broker said he had gone nearly 20 years without speaking to his son.

The New York Times

His father, without explanation, says his son began to pray in earnest at 12 or 13, an awakening that coincided closely with Sadat's slaying.

The New York Times

The investigation also found that Hunter made decisions that "call into question his stewardship of union resources" when he considered investing millions of dollars in a failing bank without disclosing that his son, Todd, was a director.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "without his son", ensure the context clearly indicates whose son is being referred to, especially if there are multiple individuals involved.

Common error

Avoid using "without his son" when the possessive pronoun "his" could refer to someone other than the intended person. Clarify the relationship to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without his son" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It indicates a condition or state of being in the absence of a specific familial relationship. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "without his son" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that describes a scenario where a father is present but his son is not. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is used correctly in numerous contexts, mostly in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, its emotional impact depends heavily on the surrounding context. Alternatives like "in his son's absence" offer a more formal option, and it's crucial to ensure clarity about whose son is being referenced to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in his son's absence

Indicates an action or event occurring because the son is not present.

not having his son

More direct and straightforward in expressing the absence.

bereft of his son

Emphasizes the feeling of loss and deprivation more strongly.

lacking his son

Highlights the missing element of his son in a particular setting.

absent his son

More formal and directly indicates the son's absence.

missing his son

Focuses on the emotional aspect of longing for his son.

separated from his son

Focuses on the physical or emotional separation.

without the presence of his son

More verbose but emphasizes the physical absence.

devoid of his son

Highlights a complete lack or absence of the son in a situation.

sonless

A single word emphasizing the state of being without a son.

FAQs

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

You can use "without his son" to describe a situation where a father figure is present but his male offspring is not. For example: "He attended the ceremony "without his son" due to the latter's illness."

What's a formal alternative to "without his son"?

A more formal alternative could be "in the absence of his son". For example: "In the absence of his son, he accepted the award on his behalf."

Is it correct to say "without his son being there" instead of "without his son"?

While grammatically correct, "without his son being there" is more verbose. "Without his son" is often sufficient and more concise.

What does it mean when someone is "without his son"?

It typically means that a father is experiencing an event or situation while his male child is not present, whether due to circumstance, choice, or necessity.