without joking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without joking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize that you are speaking seriously or truthfully, as opposed to making a joke. Example: "I really think we should reconsider our strategy, without joking, it's crucial for our success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"You need to familiarize him with the smell of a rabbit," she said and — without joking — suggested that I "find a road-kill rabbit and tie it to a tree".

The New York Times - Travel

Really, without joking, chaste weather – Dian skies – I never lik'd stubble fields so much as now … Somehow a stubble plain looks warm – in the same way some pictures look warm – this struck me so much in my Sunday's walk that I composed upon it".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Your brain just picked up the intonation patterns and pronunciation details in a relaxed, probably joking way, WITHOUT EVEN TRYING!

WikiHow

From tomorrow, we will laugh without jokes,' and people said, 'How?,' and I said, 'I don't know.

The New Yorker

And once you know the context you can enjoy the songs without jokes, because you sort of get it.

The Guardian - Film

A sensitive production, he added, should leave an audience "rapt in a wonderful vision of holiness, rendered -- not without jokes, not without wit -- in transfigured American speech and transfigured American song".

The New York Times - Arts

He had tried, and mostly failed, to save hundreds of men from dying – it was M*A*S*H without jokes – and he felt he'd had enough of the horror of life.

The Guardian

The only novel he's published without jokes has been The Rain Before It Falls (2007), an exploration of regret and loss, and of the marks left by one generation of women on those that follow.

The Guardian - Books

Filmed on an elaborate set made of high-rise glass and steel office buildings, a glittering restaurant and a sleek airline terminal, it is an examination of the rhythms and peculiarities of modern life without plot or characters, and a comic extravaganza largely without jokes.

The New York Times

It was essentially comedy without jokes -- re-enactments of common human exchanges that not only mirrored the pretensions of the characters portrayed but also subtly revealed the minor triumphs that allowed them to endure and even prevail over the bleak realities of everyday living.

The New York Times

Of course, there can never be a superhero film without jokes here and there, but they don't push it over the limit and keep the audience entertained.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without joking" to clearly signal a shift from a humorous or lighthearted tone to a serious one. It's particularly effective when the preceding context might suggest otherwise.

Common error

Avoid using "without joking" in highly formal or academic writing. More sophisticated alternatives like "in all seriousness" or "earnestly" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without joking" functions as a discourse marker, signaling a transition from a potentially humorous or light-hearted context to a serious or sincere statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it emphasizes the speaker's intent to be taken seriously.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without joking" is a grammatically sound and occasionally used expression to emphasize sincerity. As Ludwig AI indicates, it highlights a shift from a potential joke to a serious statement. While "without joking" is acceptable, more formal alternatives like "in all seriousness" might be preferable in academic or professional settings. Remember to deploy "without joking" strategically to underscore your genuine intentions. Use more common words or expressions such as "seriously" to better fit the audience in most of the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seriously speaking

Emphasizes the sincerity of the statement, focusing on the speaker's intent.

in all seriousness

Highlights the grave or earnest nature of the statement.

no joke

Directly states that the matter is not a subject of humor.

I'm serious

A first-person declaration of sincerity.

earnestly

Emphasizes the speaker's genuine and heartfelt intention.

sincerely

Highlights the honesty and genuineness of the communication.

in earnest

Similar to "in all seriousness", it suggests a determined and serious approach.

honestly

Highlights the truthfulness and lack of deception in the statement.

truthfully

Underscores the veracity and factual accuracy of the statement.

genuinely

Focuses on the authentic and sincere nature of the speaker's feelings or intentions.

FAQs

How can I use "without joking" in a sentence?

You can use "without joking" to emphasize the seriousness of a statement, often after a humorous or potentially misconstrued remark. For example, "I think we need to reconsider our budget, "seriously speaking", we might face significant challenges."

What are some alternatives to "without joking"?

Alternatives include "seriously", "in all seriousness", or "no joke". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is it better to say "without joking" or "seriously"?

Both "without joking" and "seriously" convey a sense of earnestness. "Seriously" is more versatile and widely applicable, while "without joking" is best used when contrasting with a prior or potential joke.

When is it appropriate to use "without joking"?

"Without joking" is suitable when you want to make it clear that you are not being facetious or humorous, particularly if your audience might expect a joke. It can be used in conversational or informal writing.