without recourse to

USAGE SUMMARY

"without recourse to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is done without relying on outside help. For example, "The students completed the project without recourse to any outside assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Without recourse to some data it is hard to know.

The Economist

Without recourse to the senses, data remain invisible".

The New York Times - Arts

Learning and teaching without recourse to patients is difficult.

Mathematics and Computers in Simulation

And the redemption is achieved without recourse to sentimentality.

The Guardian - Books

Now, again, notice how I can solve this purely analytic problem without recourse to a picture.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Palestinian children kept in jail for up to three months without recourse to a lawyer.

Independent

Since then, parliamentary power has evolved without recourse to another such fundamental document of rights.

Independent

Did Mr Zuma believe this could be done without recourse to force?

The Economist

La Tour rendered this carefully staged scene without recourse to any explicitly metaphysical devices.

The New York Times - Arts

Without recourse to chemical substances or bar stools, the right music becomes crucial.

The New York Times

She seemed to manage to placate Mrs. Arunachalam without recourse to pork.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without recourse to" when you want to emphasize that a particular action or outcome was achieved independently, without relying on something else that might normally be considered necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "without recourse to" in very informal contexts. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "without needing" or "by skipping" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without recourse to" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the absence of reliance on a specific action, method, or resource. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. The phrase is used to emphasize self-sufficiency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without recourse to" is a prepositional phrase that signifies achieving something independently, without relying on a specific resource or action. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It's prevalent in news, scientific, and academic contexts, indicating a formal yet versatile usage. The phrase emphasizes self-sufficiency and ingenuity. While effective, it's important to consider the audience and context to avoid sounding overly formal. Alternatives like "without needing" may be preferable in more casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without resorting to

Focuses on avoiding an action, often because it's undesirable.

without the aid of

Focuses on the lack of assistance.

independent of

Emphasizes autonomy and lack of reliance.

unaided by

Similar to "without the aid of" but more formal.

exclusive of

Highlights the exclusion of certain elements or factors.

not requiring

Emphasizes that something is unnecessary.

absent of

Directly states the lack of something.

doing without

Suggests a conscious decision to abstain from something.

bypassing the need for

Highlights the act of avoiding a necessary step.

independently

Focuses on self-sufficiency and a lack of dependence.

FAQs

How can I use "without recourse to" in a sentence?

The phrase "without recourse to" is used to indicate that something is achieved or done without relying on a particular thing or action. For example, "The problem was solved "without recourse to" violence" means violence was not needed to solve the problem.

What are some alternatives to "without recourse to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "without resorting to", "independent of", or "without the aid of". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "with no recourse to" instead of "without recourse to"?

While "without recourse to" is the more common and idiomatic expression, "with no recourse to" can also be used, though it slightly changes the emphasis. "Without recourse to" emphasizes the action of not relying on something, while "with no recourse to" emphasizes the state of not having access to something.

What does "recourse" mean in the phrase "without recourse to"?

In this context, "recourse" refers to a source of help, assistance, or a course of action that can be taken to resolve a problem or achieve a goal. Therefore, ""without recourse to"" means achieving something without using or relying on that source of help or action.