without leave

USAGE SUMMARY

"without leave" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of permission or authorization - for example, "I left the office without leave." You can also use it to suggest something has occurred without prior planning or preparation - for instance, "The team left for their destination without leave."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Unthank derives from a pre-7th century word "unpance" which means "without leave", describing land which was occupied unlawfully.

The Guardian - Music

They are typically druggies or go AWOL (Absent WithOut Leave).

WikiHow

"The US is no longer absent without leave," she said.

The Guardian

Some soldiers began to go absent without leave.

The New Yorker

He is Tashi Tshering, 29, absent without leave from Lhasa's Chinese Communist masters.

The New Yorker

She's penniless, and her several-days absence without leave has cost her her job.

The New Yorker

He joined the Army, but in October 1973, was absent without leave.

The New York Times

Within eight months she had gone absent without leave and returned to the Irish stables.

The Guardian

The policeman, who is deceased, was convicted of going absent without leave.

The New York Times

Is it just that they shall go off without leave, and without refunding?

The New Yorker

Owing to their being absent without leave, both have been suspended with effect from June 1".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a military context, use "AWOL" (Absent Without Leave) as a common and recognized abbreviation for "without leave".

Common error

Avoid using "without leave" interchangeably with "desertion". "Without leave" typically implies a temporary absence, whereas desertion suggests a permanent abandonment of duty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without leave" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the absence of permission or authorization. Ludwig AI confirms this by showing examples where "without leave" describes how an action was performed or the state of someone being absent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

19%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without leave" is a prepositional phrase that signifies the absence of permission or authorization, often implying a violation of rules or procedures. Ludwig AI's analysis highlights its prevalence in news and media contexts, with military and legal undertones. While grammatically correct and frequently used, it's crucial to differentiate "without leave" from desertion, especially in military scenarios. Using alternatives like "without authorization" or "without permission" can provide varying degrees of formality depending on the writing context. With over 50 real-world examples, Ludwig confirms the phrase's common usage and diverse applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without authorization

Replaces "leave" with the more formal "authorization", emphasizing the lack of official approval.

without permission

Substitutes "leave" with "permission", a more common and widely understood term.

without consent

Focuses on the absence of agreement or approval for an action.

unauthorized

A single-word adjective describing actions taken without proper authority.

unapproved

Similar to "unauthorized", highlighting the lack of formal approval.

off the record

Indicates information or actions not officially sanctioned or acknowledged.

under the radar

Suggests doing something discreetly and without drawing attention or seeking approval.

against regulations

Indicates an action that violates established rules or guidelines.

on one's own authority

Emphasizes acting independently and without external authorization.

independently

A broad term indicating action without external influence or permission.

FAQs

What does "without leave" mean in a military context?

In military terminology, "without leave" typically refers to an unauthorized absence. The common abbreviation for this is "AWOL", meaning Absent Without Leave.

What is a more formal synonym for "without leave"?

A more formal synonym for "without leave" is "without authorization". This emphasizes the lack of official approval or permission.

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

You can use "without leave" to describe an action taken without permission, such as, "The soldier left the base without leave." It can also describe a state of being, as in, "He was absent without leave."

What's the difference between "without leave" and "without permission"?

The phrases "without leave" and "without permission" are largely interchangeable. However, "without leave" often carries a more formal, almost legalistic tone, while "without permission" is more commonly used in everyday language.