without our noticing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without our noticing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something happens without the awareness or realization of the people involved. Example: "The changes in the environment occurred gradually, without our noticing the impact they had on our daily lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

He'd come in without our noticing.

The New York Times

They walked in front of us, then disappeared without our noticing.

The New Yorker

It has taken two decades, but almost without our noticing it, a kind of revolution has taken place.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And though each has been given a type to embody (from Doctrinaire Marxist to Callow Young Man), many of their lines could be interchanged without our noticing.

The New York Times

Not even the most mechanistic of Marxists would claim these days that socialism is inevitable, let alone that it has already come about without our noticing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Weiner argues that these huge pools of unregulated capital have come to dominate the world financial system, largely without our noticing it, and that as a result the United States has lost much of its economic influence.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Our entire food supply has undergone a process of "cornification" in recent years, without our even noticing it.

The New York Times

In the new film, though, his tuning is exact, his actors miss not a trick, and, without our really noticing, his story dances along at a rattling rate.

The New Yorker

At the same time, the secrets that lie beyond our field of vision are a wellspring of great disquiet; they tell at best of unknowable national security, at worst of unreachable loneliness, or of a kingdom that has been hollowed out, like a marriage, without our even noticing.

The New Yorker

This is difficult, elusive territory but Shafran, who walked away from a budding career as a style photographer, tackles it with a concentration evident in these intriguing images, the best of which capture the moments of quiet reverie we all experience without our even noticing them.

The Guardian - Arts

Because such metaphors structure our most basic understandings of our experience, they are "metaphors we live by"—metaphors that can shape our perceptions and actions without our ever noticing them.

University of Chicago

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without our noticing" to indicate a gradual or subtle change that occurred without being immediately apparent. For instance, "The seasons shifted, almost "without our noticing", bringing cooler temperatures and vibrant foliage."

Common error

Avoid using "without our noticing" when you actually mean "without us notifying". "Noticing" refers to becoming aware, while "notifying" refers to informing someone. Example of incorrect usage: "The company closed "without our noticing" the employees" (should be 'without our notifying').

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without our noticing" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating that an action or event occurred without the awareness or perception of the speaker and their group. Ludwig AI confirms that this construction is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without our noticing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase indicating a lack of awareness or observation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's versatile enough for various contexts, most frequently appearing in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure that you intend to convey a lack of awareness rather than a failure to inform. Alternative expressions like "unbeknownst to us" or "without us realizing" may provide nuanced shades of meaning depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without us realizing

Focuses on the lack of realization on our part.

without our awareness

Stresses the absence of conscious knowledge.

unnoticed by us

Directly states that something was not noticed.

unbeknownst to us

Emphasizes that something happened without our knowledge or awareness.

without our perception

Emphasizes a lack of sensory or intellectual grasp.

under our radar

An idiomatic expression signifying something missed due to lack of attention.

imperceptibly to us

Highlights the subtle and gradual nature of something happening.

invisibly to us

Indicates that something happened in a way that wasn't seen or apparent.

without our conscious thought

Highlights the lack of deliberate consideration.

without our apprehension

Focuses on the failure to grasp or understand something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "without our noticing" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "unbeknownst to us", "without our awareness", or "imperceptibly to us". Each of these offers a slightly different nuance while maintaining a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "without we noticing" instead of "without our noticing"?

No, "without we noticing" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "without our noticing", as "our" is the possessive pronoun that modifies the gerund "noticing".

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

"Without us realizing" emphasizes a lack of understanding, while "without our noticing" focuses on a lack of observation or awareness. They are largely interchangeable but subtly different depending on the context.

Can "without our noticing" be used to describe a positive event?

Yes, "without our noticing" can be used to describe both positive and negative events. It simply indicates that something occurred without being observed or realized, regardless of its nature. For example, "The community quietly thrived, without our noticing the extent of its growth".