without so much as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'without so much as' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to emphasize how little or how slight something is, or to emphasize that something didn't happen at all. Example: She drove away without so much as a goodbye.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Held without so much as a hearing, his health deteriorated.

The New York Times

The cannas, however, survived without so much as a flop.

The Telegraph

(Devotees bought without so much as sniffing a scent strip).

The New York Times - Magazine

She acquitted them without so much as an administrative fee.

The New Yorker

Without so much as a warm-up, Messi stripped and was sent in.

The New York Times - Sports

He passed the Simpson memorial without so much as a nod.

The New Yorker

The next morning, one of the girls treated herself to them without so much as asking.

The New York Times

Trillions pass through everyone's body every second without so much as a jolt.

The Economist

Since then, however, Feliciano has recovered quickly without so much as an ache.

The New York Times

In the conventional view, most neutrinos pass through matter without so much as a shudder.

The Economist

And it will hand down its verdict without so much as a hearing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your writing. While "without so much as" is versatile, it is important to choose the most appropriate phrasing for the context and audience. In formal writing, it can add a touch of emphasis, while in informal writing, it can convey surprise or disappointment.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overuse of "without so much as" in highly formal documents. Opt for simpler alternatives like "without any" or "lacking" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without so much as" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces an element of surprise or emphasis regarding the absence of something. Ludwig AI explains that is often used to emphasize how little or how slight something is, or to emphasize that something didn't happen at all.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "without so much as" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to emphasize the absence of something, often something expected. As Ludwig AI indicates, it highlights how little or how slight an action or element is, or that something didn't occur at all. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended tone, opting for simpler alternatives in highly formal documents or for more impactful phrasing, using its alternatives such as "without even" or "without any".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without even

This alternative shortens the phrase while retaining the core meaning of lacking any action or element.

without any

Indicates the absence of something, similar to "without so much as".

not even with

This phrase highlights the absence of something, even when one might expect it.

with no

A concise way to indicate the complete absence of something.

lacking any

Emphasizes the deficiency or absence of something.

without a hint of

This phrase suggests that there is absolutely no sign or indication of something.

not with a single

Emphasizes the lack of even one instance of something.

absent of

A straightforward way to express the absence of something.

devoid of

This option indicates a complete absence of something, often used in more formal contexts.

bereft of

Similar to "devoid of", suggesting a significant lack or loss.

FAQs

How can I use "without so much as" in a sentence?

Use "without so much as" to emphasize the absence of even a slight action or indication. For example, "He left "without so much as a goodbye"."

What does "without so much as" mean?

"Without so much as" means "without even" or "without the slightest". It emphasizes the lack of something, often something that would be expected.

What phrases are similar to "without so much as"?

Alternatives include "without even", "without any", or "not even with", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "without as much as"?

The correct phrase is "without so much as". "Without as much as" is not standard English and should be avoided.