without knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without knowledge" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate a lack of awareness or understanding about a particular subject or situation. Example: "He made decisions without knowledge of the consequences." Alternative expressions include "ignorant of," "unaware of," and "lacking awareness of."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And a society without knowledge is steering blind.

The New York Times

Action without knowledge doesn't get you very far.

The New York Times

Then he added, "You can't create without knowledge".

The New York Times

Is it perhaps possible to have understanding without knowledge?

The New York Times

"It is not possible to objectively judge the Yukos case without knowledge of the facts".

The New York Times

CV-blind recruiting, in which partners interview candidates without knowledge of their background, is gaining acceptance.

The Guardian

He published the report without knowledge of the defamation case, he said.

The New York Times

Dectives often want him to examine a piece of baggage without knowledge of owner.

The New Yorker

Reading skills are important, but without knowledge, they are pretty useless.

The New York Times

"For me, the film is about what the world looks like without knowledge and without prejudice.

The Guardian - Film

"Most of the debate is utterly confused or generally without knowledge".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "without knowledge", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what specific knowledge is lacking to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of 'He acted without knowledge', specify 'He acted "without knowledge" of the risks involved'.

Common error

Avoid using "without knowledge" in situations where a more specific term like 'unaware' or 'ignorant' would be more precise. This prevents the phrase from sounding overly formal or vague.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without knowledge" primarily functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a state of lacking information or awareness. Ludwig examples show its use across various contexts to describe actions or conditions occurring in the absence of certain information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "without knowledge" is a common and versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate a lack of information or awareness. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses. It's found across various contexts, from scientific research to news reporting, maintaining a neutral tone. While grammatically correct, clarity is key: specify what knowledge is lacking to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "unaware" or "ignorant of" can provide more nuanced meanings depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uninformed

Simply states a lack of knowledge or information.

unaware

Emphasizes a lack of awareness or consciousness about something.

lacking awareness

Focuses on the absence of conscious realization or understanding.

ignorant of

Highlights a lack of information or education regarding a specific topic.

oblivious to

Implies a failure to notice or recognize something important.

unacquainted with

Indicates a lack of familiarity or experience with something.

in the dark

Suggests a state of being uninformed or kept secret from.

unversed in

Highlights a lack of skill, training or experience in a particular area.

without any clue

Emphasizes a complete absence of understanding or idea.

naïve about

Suggests a lack of experience or worldly wisdom regarding a subject.

FAQs

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

You can use "without knowledge" to indicate a lack of awareness or information about something. For example: "She made the decision "without knowledge" of the potential consequences."

What's the difference between "without knowledge" and "unaware"?

"Without knowledge" generally implies a lack of information, whereas "unaware" suggests a lack of consciousness or realization. The phrase "without knowledge" might be used to say someone acted on something they did not know about, while "unaware" suggests a general lack of perception.

What are some alternatives to using "without knowledge"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "ignorant of", "lacking awareness", or "uninformed" as alternatives to "without knowledge".

Is it correct to say 'acting "without knowledge"'?

Yes, it's grammatically correct to say 'acting "without knowledge"'. However, ensure the context is clear. Specifying what knowledge is lacking will make the sentence more precise. For example, 'acting "without knowledge" of the facts' is clearer.