without my permission

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without my permission" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used when referencing a situation in which something has happened without permission or authorization. For example: "I was shocked to discover that he had accessed my accounts without my permission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Without my permission?

The New York Times

"It blew up without my permission," Mr. Neelman joked.

The New York Times

Reporters are told not to use private investigators without my permission.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Crystal gave Ginni Thomas my private mailing address without my permission," Hall recalled.

The New Yorker

"Padsha Khan Zadran said: 'Why are the Americans coming here without my permission?

The New York Times

"I had this condition of things rhyming in my mind without my permission.

The Guardian - Books

No one has the right to touch my body without my permission".

The Guardian - Books

"They haven't changed anything without my permission, which in my experience never happens," he said.

The New York Times

There won't be a shot fired without my permission, is that understood?' Then I walked out of the room".

The Guardian

Without my permission, they removed my cellphone from my hand, and one of the officers reached into my pockets, and removed my wallet and keys.

The New York Times

"You went to the political agent without my permission," he said, laughing again, rather than addressing the government's right to arrest an old man and his son.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing a violation of personal boundaries or rights, use "without my permission" to clearly indicate that consent was not given.

Common error

Avoid using "without my permission" when the situation involves a request or suggestion that was not followed. This phrase is most appropriate when an action was taken that required explicit approval but was not obtained.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without my permission" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating that an action occurred lacking consent. Ludwig shows examples where it highlights a violation of boundaries or rights.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without my permission" is a grammatically sound and very common way to express that an action has been taken without one's consent or authorization. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across a variety of contexts, most frequently in news and media, to highlight a violation of personal boundaries or rights. While generally neutral in tone, its impact can be amplified or softened with synonyms like "without my authorization" or "unbeknownst to me". When using this phrase, ensure that the context truly involves a required permission that was not obtained.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without my authorization

Replaces "permission" with a synonym emphasizing official sanction.

without my consent

Substitutes "permission" with a term highlighting agreement or approval.

without my approval

Replaces "permission" with a word that suggests endorsement or validation.

unauthorized by me

Uses a more formal tone to emphasize the lack of official approval from the speaker.

without my knowledge or consent

Adds emphasis by specifying lack of awareness alongside lack of agreement.

unbeknownst to me

Shifts focus to the speaker's lack of awareness, implying a lack of permission.

contrary to my wishes

Highlights the speaker's opposition to the action taken.

against my will

Emphasizes the speaker's lack of voluntary agreement, often in more serious contexts.

on their own initiative

Focuses on the actor taking action independently, implying a lack of permission from the speaker.

independently of me

Highlights the autonomy of the actor, suggesting that the speaker's input or consent was not sought.

FAQs

What does "without my permission" mean?

The phrase "without my permission" means that something was done without your consent, authorization, or approval. It indicates a lack of voluntary agreement or endorsement.

What are some synonyms for "without my permission"?

Some synonyms for "without my permission" include "without my authorization", "without my consent", and "without my approval". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it formal to say "without my permission"?

The phrase "without my permission" is considered neutral in terms of formality. It can be used in both formal and informal settings depending on the context. For more formal situations, consider using "without my authorization".

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

You can use "without my permission" to describe actions taken without your consent. For example, "They used my photograph in their advertisement without my permission", or "He accessed my computer files without my permission".