without his support

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without his support" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something cannot be achieved or is difficult to achieve in the absence of someone's assistance or backing. Example: "She felt overwhelmed by the project and knew she couldn't succeed without his support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Few liberal reforms in Russia happened without his support.

The Economist

"Without his support, I don't know how I would have made it through".

The Guardian

All those that he helped attained heights they never could have without his support.

The New York Times

"I would not be where I am today -- in my career, as a woman -- without his support," she said.

The New York Times

Again, it's not a perfect world, but I believe that without his support we would not have the arts center.

The New York Times

The current swing vote, of course, is Anthony Kennedy, and it is difficult to imagine health care being upheld without his support.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Now Mr Yanukovich will be able to reduce his budget deficit without risking his support.

The Economist

Or as Katie Reeves put it on Twitter, I'm not sure proactionary is a word, and that's without "discussing his support of a James-Bond-Villain-style floating asylum for crazy scientists".

The Guardian

Rarely did they utter Mr. Bush's name without mentioning his support from social conservatives like Pat Robertson and the Rev. Jerry Falwell, or Mr. Bush's campaign appearance earlier this month at Bob Jones University in South Carolina.

The New York Times

It will be difficult for Mr Harper to dismantle it without weakening his support in Quebec, where he needs to win seats to move from a minority to a majority government in the next federal election.

The Guardian

He is anguished about how his family will manage without his financial support.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context clearly indicates what specific type of support is lacking (e.g., financial, emotional, political).

Common error

Avoid assuming the type of support is universally understood. Specify what kind of support is absent to prevent ambiguity, for example: "without his financial support" or "without his emotional support."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without his support" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or clause to indicate a condition or circumstance under which something occurs or fails to occur. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. The phrase highlights a necessary dependency or vital component for achieving an outcome.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without his support" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the necessity of a person's backing for a specific outcome. It appears most frequently in news and media, but also sees usage in business and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, adding that it indicates something is difficult to achieve without assistance. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "absent his backing" or "lacking his assistance" to add nuance. Remember to clearly specify the type of support being referenced to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absent his backing

Replaces "support" with "backing", emphasizing endorsement.

lacking his assistance

Uses "assistance" instead of "support", focusing on direct help.

without his endorsement

Specifies "endorsement" instead of general support, implying approval.

bereft of his contribution

Highlights the absence of his direct contribution or input.

devoid of his patronage

More formal, using "patronage" to suggest financial or influential backing.

independent of his influence

Focuses on operating separately from his influence, not necessarily support.

notwithstanding his opposition

Indicates proceeding despite his disagreement, a contrast to support.

excluding his participation

Emphasizes his non-involvement, rather than active support.

forsaking his collaboration

Highlights the abandonment of a previous collaborative relationship.

abandoning his advocacy

Focuses on the cessation of his active promotion or defense.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "absent his backing" or "devoid of his patronage". These options add a layer of sophistication while maintaining the original meaning.

What does "without his support" imply?

It implies that a person, project, or idea is unlikely to succeed, or will face significant challenges, due to the absence of assistance, endorsement, or resources from a specific individual.

When is it appropriate to use "without his support" in writing?

It's appropriate when highlighting the dependence on a particular person's backing for success or when emphasizing the negative consequences of not having their assistance. Be sure the person's contribution is genuinely significant.

What's the difference between "without his support" and "without his help"?

While similar, "without his support" often implies a broader sense of endorsement, resources, or influence, whereas "without his help" focuses more on direct assistance or action. The best choice depends on the specific context.