without my knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

"without my knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey that something happened or was done without your prior knowledge or consent. For example: "Some of my personal information was shared with a third party without my knowledge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Without my knowledge.

The New Yorker

"But the purging happened without my knowledge".

The New York Times

This was done without my knowledge.

The Guardian

They had all discussed this beforehand without my knowledge.

The Guardian

I took full responsibility at the time for what happened but without my knowledge and resigned".

Independent

"The reporter was sent without my knowledge; it was a decision which was wrong," he said.

Independent

"My information is now being bartered like a product without my knowledge or understanding".

The New York Times - Tech

"They charge my account without my knowledge and send me items that I did not order".

The New York Times - Tech

The second was when I discovered that she had been discharged from hospital without my knowledge.

The Guardian - Opinion

He took both a second wife and divorced me without my knowledge.

The Guardian

Can the management add conditions like these without my knowledge?... Yvonne J. Cunningham, Manhattan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always consider if a more precise alternative, like "without my consent" or "without my awareness", might better convey your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "without my knowledge" when you simply disagree with a decision. This phrase implies a lack of awareness, not necessarily a lack of approval. Instead, clarify that you were aware but disapproved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without my knowledge" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which an action occurred. It describes the action as happening independently of the speaker's awareness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "without my knowledge" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that something occurred without your awareness or consent. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause. While versatile, consider whether alternatives like "unbeknownst to me" or without my awareness may be more appropriate depending on the context. Be mindful of the scope, implying a lack of awareness rather than mere disagreement. The phrase sees frequent use in news and media, reflecting its relevance in reporting situations where information is concealed or actions are taken discreetly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I wasn't aware

A simpler and more direct way to express a lack of knowledge.

without my awareness

Highlights a lack of conscious perception or realization.

unbeknownst to me

More formal and literary alternative, emphasizing the state of being unknown to the speaker.

I had no idea

Expresses complete surprise and lack of prior information.

without my realizing it

Focuses on the speaker's failure to become aware of something happening.

I wasn't informed

Emphasizes the lack of direct communication or notification.

I was kept in the dark

Idiomatic way of saying information was deliberately withheld.

I wasn't consulted

Emphasizes the lack of opportunity to give input or consent.

it happened behind my back

Implies secrecy or deception in the action.

it was concealed from me

Highlights the deliberate act of hiding information.

FAQs

What does "without my knowledge" mean?

The phrase "without my knowledge" means that something happened or was done without your awareness or consent. It indicates a lack of prior information or involvement.

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

You can use "without my knowledge" to describe situations where actions were taken unbeknownst to you. For example, "Funds were withdrawn from my account "without my knowledge"."

What's the difference between "without my knowledge" and "without my consent"?

"Without my knowledge" implies a lack of awareness, while "without my consent" implies awareness but a lack of permission. Something can happen without your knowledge, but if you were asked and refused, it happened without your consent.

Are there more formal alternatives to "without my knowledge"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "unbeknownst to me" or "without my awareness". These options may be more suitable in professional or academic writing.