without telling anyone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'without telling anyone' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that someone has done in secret, without alerting anyone else to it. For example, "She went to the party without telling anyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I asked around without telling anyone why".

The New Yorker

Sergeant Glukhov said he departed without telling anyone.

The New York Times

"He just ran without telling anyone," Mr. Wang said.

The New York Times

Her spoiled teenage son Florent (François Civil) disappears without telling anyone of his whereabouts.

The New York Times

I even asked for video —without telling anyone what I was after.

The New York Times

"Someone," he said, "put it up on the board without telling anyone else".

The New Yorker

Since his death, they found out that he donated money to an orphanage without telling anyone.

The New York Times - Sports

"And they went and did it anyway, without telling anyone," Mr. Kocher said.

The New York Times

He later died without telling anyone the nature or the source of that pressure.

The New York Times - Sports

For her to just leave without telling anyone is totally out of character".

The New York Times

He had run away without telling anyone, and had arrived in Johannesburg four days earlier.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without telling anyone" when you want to emphasize that an action was done in complete secrecy and that no one was informed or consulted.

Common error

Avoid using "without telling anyone" when the secrecy is limited to a specific group. Be precise; for example, say "without telling the team" instead of implying complete secrecy if only the team was unaware.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without telling anyone" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating the manner in which an action is performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes an action done in secrecy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without telling anyone" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the secrecy of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. Predominantly found in news and media, it indicates that an action was performed without informing or consulting anyone. For alternatives, consider "secretly" or "without informing anyone", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without informing anyone

Highlights the lack of information given to others.

without anyone knowing

Highlights that nobody was aware of the action.

in secret

Directly indicates that the action was performed clandestinely.

secretly

Focuses on the act being done in a hidden manner.

unbeknownst to others

Emphasizes that others are unaware of the action.

surreptitiously

Implies a more cautious and secretive approach.

covertly

Implies a secretive and often strategic approach.

privately

Focuses on the action being done in a personal, non-public manner.

behind closed doors

Suggests the action was done in a private setting, away from public view.

on the q.t.

An informal way to say something is done secretly.

FAQs

What does "without telling anyone" mean?

The phrase "without telling anyone" means doing something secretly, so that no person is informed or aware of the action. It emphasizes a complete lack of communication about the matter.

How can I use "without telling anyone" in a sentence?

You can use "without telling anyone" to describe actions done in secret. For example, "She left the party "without telling anyone"" or "He donated anonymously "without telling anyone" about it".

What are some alternatives to "without telling anyone"?

Alternatives include "secretly", "without informing anyone", or "unbeknownst to others". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "without telling anyone" or "without telling someone"?

"Without telling anyone" implies that no one was informed, while "without telling someone" suggests that at least one person was not informed, but others might have been. The choice depends on the intended meaning.