without talking about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without talking about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that a discussion or consideration is taking place without mentioning a specific topic. Example: "We can explore the implications of the policy without talking about its historical context."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Try to go a day without talking about it".

The New York Times

No conversation about shorts is complete without talking about sportswear.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You can't talk about personality without talking about motivation.

The Guardian - Sport

"Because without talking about it, you can't change anything".

The New York Times - Arts

"You can't talk about jobs and the economy without talking about China".

The New York Times

It's impossible to discuss this case without talking about how we got into this program".

The New Yorker

"It's like you can't talk about Egyptology without talking about Howard Carter".

Independent

I'm sorry, but I can't let you complete an interview without talking about Stefon.

The New York Times

And you can't cite these figures without talking about the health disaster.

The New York Times

(Very meta, this: talking about having ideas without talking about the ideas themselves)..

The New Yorker

"You can't really talk about America without talking about race and class," Mr. Kahane said.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your phrasing to maintain reader engagement. While "without talking about" is acceptable, alternatives like "without mentioning" or "excluding" can provide nuance and prevent repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "without talking about" as a crutch. If the topic is genuinely irrelevant, it's better to omit it entirely rather than vaguely alluding to it. Instead of saying, "We can improve efficiency without talking about budget cuts", consider a more direct statement like, "We can improve efficiency by streamlining processes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without talking about" functions as a prepositional phrase, often introducing a clause that indicates a condition or limitation to a statement. As Ludwig confirms, it is a standard English construction. Examples show its use in specifying what is not being discussed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without talking about" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to exclude a specific topic from a discussion or analysis. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely employed, particularly in News & Media. While useful for setting boundaries and maintaining focus, overusing it can lead to vagueness; consider direct alternatives to enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "without discussing" or "excluding any discussion of" may provide greater precision. Therefore, while "without talking about" is a versatile phrase, mindful application ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without discussing

Focuses on the act of not elaborating on a subject.

without mentioning

Highlights the omission of a particular subject.

excluding any discussion of

Emphasizes a deliberate effort to keep a topic out of the conversation.

aside from discussing

Indicates a topic will not be part of the conversation.

without reference to

Highlights the absence of any connection to a particular topic.

avoiding the subject of

Directly points out the intention to steer clear of a specific topic.

keeping silent about

Emphasizes the choice not to disclose information.

steering clear of discussing

Indicates a conscious decision to avoid a topic.

bypassing the issue of

Highlights the act of ignoring or sidestepping a specific issue.

overlooking the topic of

Indicates that a topic is intentionally disregarded.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "without talking about"?

You can use alternatives like "without discussing", "without mentioning", or "excluding any discussion of" depending on the context.

How do I use "without talking about" in a sentence?

The phrase "without talking about" is used to indicate that a discussion or activity is happening while deliberately avoiding a certain topic. For example, "We can solve this problem without talking about past mistakes".

Is it grammatically correct to say "without talking about"?

Yes, the phrase "without talking about" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. Ludwig confirms its validity.

What is the difference between "without talking about" and "without mentioning"?

While both phrases imply omitting a topic, "without talking about" suggests a more deliberate avoidance of extended discussion. "without mentioning" simply means the topic isn't brought up at all.