without noticing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'without noticing' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to mean that something happened without anyone being aware of it. For example: She quickly slipped the money into her pocket without noticing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I had skipped that hurdle without noticing.

The Guardian

She stole without noticing she was stealing, at first.

The New Yorker

She walked right by Ms. Wintour without noticing her.

The New York Times

"I can't walk without noticing poop on the sidewalk".

The New York Times

Type that changes clothes three times a day without noticing.

The New Yorker

Without noticing a thing, you've helped prevent a blackout.

The New York Times

A high performer will blow by 4% without noticing.

Harvard Business Review

A robot cruised right by Cord without noticing him.

The New York Times - Tech

"One day I burned my lips without noticing.

The Guardian

Most drivers read road signs without noticing much about them.

The New York Times

Mr Yanukovich, by contrast, seems to have waded across the Rubicon without noticing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without noticing" to describe actions or changes that occur subtly or gradually, where the subject is not consciously aware of the process.

Common error

Avoid using "without noticing" when describing events where the subject should reasonably be aware. The phrase works best when describing subtle or unconscious actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without noticing" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, adverb, or adjective. It indicates that an action or a state occurred without the subject being aware of it. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely usable. For example, "She walked past the entrance without noticing it."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "without noticing" is a versatile prepositional phrase that adds nuance to your writing by indicating a lack of awareness. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and widespread use make it a valuable addition to your vocabulary. It functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or adverbs to describe actions or changes that occur subtly or unconsciously. Its neutral register makes it suitable for many contexts, especially in news reporting and general writing. To use it effectively, ensure the context involves a gradual or subtle change where the subject's lack of awareness is plausible. Remember, alternatives such as "unwittingly" or "without realizing" offer different shades of meaning that can be more precise depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without realizing

Directly expresses a lack of realization or understanding.

without being aware

Highlights the absence of conscious awareness.

inadvertently

Highlights that the action was not planned or intended.

unwittingly

Emphasizes a lack of knowledge or awareness of the consequences.

obliviously

Emphasizes a state of being unaware or inattentive.

unintentionally

Focuses on the lack of intention or deliberate action.

unconsciously

Focuses on the action being driven by the unconscious mind.

imperceptibly

Stresses the subtlety and difficulty in perceiving the action.

subliminally

Suggests the action occurred below the threshold of conscious awareness.

by accident

Indicates that the action occurred unintentionally or by chance.

FAQs

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

Use "without noticing" to indicate that an action or change occurred subtly or gradually, without the subject's conscious awareness. For example, "She improved her skills "without noticing" how much she was learning".

What can I say instead of "without noticing"?

Alternatives include "unwittingly", "inadvertently", or "without realizing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "without noticing it" or "without notice"?

"Without noticing it" is used to indicate a lack of awareness. "Without notice" means without prior notification. They have different meanings and aren't interchangeable.

What's the difference between "without realizing" and "without noticing"?

"Without realizing" emphasizes a lack of understanding or comprehension, while "without noticing" highlights a lack of visual or sensory awareness. Both imply a lack of consciousness, but focus on different aspects.