without obtaining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without obtaining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is done or achieved without the need to acquire or secure something beforehand. Example: "The project was completed without obtaining the necessary permits, which led to complications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was allowed to do so without obtaining any permits.

The New York Times

They may begin work without obtaining permits at all.

The New York Times

Uber disagreed and debuted in San Francisco without obtaining permits.

The Washington Post

You couldn't go anywhere without obtaining a permit first.

Columbia University

And it was doing so without obtaining legally required court orders.

The Guardian

"Current repeatedly broadcasted advertisements for the Program using Olbermann's likeness, without obtaining his consent".

The Guardian

He was emphatic in cautioning against misdiagnosing and misapplying computer models without obtaining the necessary proof.

The New York Times

Without obtaining JVC's space, he said, Marcal would have had to expand elsewhere in the country.

The New York Times

However, Fairey had based the poster on a news photograph by Mannie Garcia without obtaining permission.

Britannica

This column is not legal advice and should not be acted upon without obtaining legal counsel.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

from starting a war against Iraq without obtaining a declaration of war or other explicit authorization" from Congress.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without obtaining" to emphasize efficiency or a shortcut, where the normal process of acquiring something is bypassed.

Common error

Avoid using "without obtaining" when a simple 'not having' or 'lacking' is more appropriate. "Obtaining" implies an effort or process to acquire something, so ensure that the context justifies this implication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without obtaining" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates that an action or state occurs independently of the acquisition of something else. As Ludwig AI highlights, its usage is widespread across various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

32%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without obtaining" is a versatile prepositional phrase that signifies an action or outcome achieved independently of acquiring something. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. Its function is to specify conditions, often emphasizing efficiency or bypassing typical processes. When writing, it's crucial to ensure the context justifies the implication of effort or process to acquire something, thus avoiding misapplication. For alternative expressions, consider "without acquiring" or "without securing" for similar meanings, adapting the choice based on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without acquiring

Emphasizes the absence of the act of gaining possession of something.

without securing

Highlights the lack of ensuring or guaranteeing something is obtained.

without gaining

Focuses on the absence of the process of getting something, typically implying some effort is involved.

without receiving

Focuses on not getting something that might be expected or desired.

without access to

Highlights the inability to use or benefit from something.

without the benefit of

Emphasizes the lack of advantage or help from something.

lacking acquisition of

Formal way of saying "not having acquired", placing emphasis on the missing acquisition.

absent the procurement of

A more formal and technical way of stating "without getting", often used in legal or official contexts.

independent of acquiring

Highlights that something is not conditional on acquisition.

without undergoing

Implies bypassing a process that would usually be involved in "obtaining".

FAQs

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

Use "without obtaining" to indicate that an action or result occurred without the need to acquire something specific, such as permission, resources, or information. For example, "The project was completed "without obtaining the necessary permits"".

What can I say instead of "without obtaining"?

You can use alternatives like "without acquiring", "without securing", or "without receiving" depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "without obtaining" or "without getting"?

"Without obtaining" is generally considered more formal than "without getting". Use "without obtaining" in professional or academic writing for a more sophisticated tone. "Without getting" is acceptable in informal contexts.

How does the meaning of "without obtaining" differ from "despite obtaining"?

"Without obtaining" means something was achieved or done in the absence of something, whereas "despite obtaining" implies that something was achieved even though something else was acquired, often suggesting that the acquired item didn't help or may have hindered the achievement.