without knowledge of

USAGE SUMMARY

"without knowledge of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that someone does not understand or is unaware of. Example: She performed the task without knowledge of the consequences.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Learning motor sequences with and without knowledge of governing rules.

Harvard University

The name Sleekcraft was selected without knowledge of appellant's use.

Harvard University

BrdUrd-labeled thymic cells were quantified without knowledge of treatment.

Life Sciences

"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

This was a challenge without knowledge of the relevant commercial jargon.

The Guardian

Instead, individuals choose to break the law without knowledge of the facts.

The Guardian

Without knowledge of HTML coding, spotting a Web bug is not easy.

The New York Times - Tech

All behavioral and histological analyses were conducted without knowledge of treatment group.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "without knowledge of", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is unaware of to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "without knowledge of" when "despite knowledge of" is more appropriate. The former indicates a lack of awareness, while the latter acknowledges awareness but proceeds regardless.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without knowledge of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating a lack of awareness or information. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. The examples show it clarifying circumstances where awareness is absent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

37%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without knowledge of" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to express a lack of awareness or information. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's commonly used across various domains, including science, news, and academia. While alternatives like "unaware of" or "ignorant of" exist, "without knowledge of" provides a clear and direct way to specify that an action or decision occurred in the absence of certain information. Understanding its correct usage and context helps to communicate effectively and avoid potential misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unaware of

Focuses on a state of not knowing or noticing something.

lacking awareness of

Directly states the absence of knowledge or consciousness.

ignorant of

Highlights a lack of information or understanding, often implying a negative connotation.

oblivious to

Emphasizes a lack of awareness, often when something is happening nearby.

in the dark about

Indicates a state of being uninformed or kept secret from.

without being informed of

Highlights that information was not provided.

unbeknownst to

Implies that the subject's lack of knowledge is due to something happening secretly or unexpectedly.

unconscious of

Emphasizes a lack of awareness at a subconscious level.

unsuspecting of

Highlights a lack of anticipation or expectation of something.

without notice of

Focuses on the absence of prior notification or warning.

FAQs

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

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

What phrases are similar to "without knowledge of"?

Alternatives to "without knowledge of" include "unaware of", "ignorant of", or "oblivious to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "without knowledge of" or "without the knowledge of"?

"Without knowledge of" is generally preferred for its conciseness and common usage. "Without the knowledge of" is grammatically correct but can sound more formal or stilted in many contexts.

What is the difference between "without knowledge of" and "despite knowledge of"?

"Without knowledge of" indicates a lack of awareness, while "despite knowledge of" suggests that someone was aware of something but proceeded regardless. The phrases have opposite meanings.