without the love of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without the love of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a lack of affection or support from someone or something in various contexts, often in emotional or poetic expressions. Example: "She felt lost and empty, without the love of her family to guide her through tough times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

– without the love of a good woman.

The Guardian - Film

• A Republican can't win without the love of evangelicals.

The New York Times

He'd had a hard life without the love of his parents, but he'd tried to do the right thing.

University of California, Berkeley

Suddenly I started to wonder how I was going to carry on without the love of my life.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I would not be here today without the love of my life, Adele, who has made my life so meaningful and rich, and also without my children, from whom I have learned and continue to learn so much.

Harvard University

Mass imprisonment for drug offences, or treating every drug user as an unfit parent, means countless children grow up without the love of their mother or father, often scarring them for life.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

LUIS CHIMBO The Love of Her Life Ana Chimbo is having trouble starting a new life without the love of her life for 20 years.

The New York Times

They sought a spot where they could devote themselves completely to the love of God, without a fixed rule and without an imposed form of life.

University of Pennsylvania

Without exaggeration, I can say that the love of painting which finally became a passion gave meaning to my life, and filled a great void".

The New York Times

For successful education reform, our challenge will be how to measure standards of achievement, on the part of students and teachers, without killing the love of learning, creative thinking and innovation that have always proved America's strong suit.

The New York Times

Not long afterward, while praying, he felt a calling to create "a group of priests who would travel the world without rest, transmitting the love of Jesus Christ," according to his official biography.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "without the love of", ensure the context clearly indicates what kind of love is missing (e.g. familial, romantic, platonic) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "without the love of" in overly dramatic or sentimental writing. In some cases, a more direct or concise expression might be more effective and less cliché.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without the love of" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb or noun, indicating a state or condition resulting from the absence of love. This is supported by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without the love of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase to express the absence of affection or support. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is versatile and appears in various contexts, from news reports to academic writing. While it's generally neutral in register, it is crucial to use it thoughtfully to avoid clichés or overly sentimental tones. Understanding its alternatives, such as "lacking affection from" or "devoid of affection from", can help refine your writing and ensure the message is both clear and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking affection from

Replaces "without the love of" with a more direct expression of lacking affection.

devoid of affection from

Uses "devoid" to emphasize the absence of affection.

unloved by

Simplifies the phrase to a passive construction indicating a lack of love directed at someone.

without the support of

Focuses on the absence of support rather than affection, which can be a related concept.

absent of loving feelings from

Highlights the missing loving feelings.

bereft of the warmth of affection from

Emphasizes the emotional warmth that is missing.

forsaken of affection from

Implies abandonment in addition to the lack of affection.

deprived of the care and affection of

Highlights deprivation of care alongside affection.

missing the tenderness of

Focuses on the absence of tenderness, a specific aspect of love.

wanting in affection from

Uses "wanting" to indicate a deficiency in affection.

FAQs

How can I use "without the love of" in a sentence?

You can use "without the love of" to express a lack of affection, support, or care. For instance, "He grew up "without the love of his parents"" or "She felt lost "without the love of her family"."

What are some alternatives to "without the love of"?

Alternatives include "lacking affection from", "devoid of affection from", or "unloved by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify what kind of love is missing when using "without the love of"?

Specifying the type of love (e.g., familial, romantic, platonic) clarifies the meaning and avoids ambiguity. However, in some contexts, it may be obvious and needn't be explicitly stated.

When is it best to avoid using the phrase "without the love of"?

Avoid overusing it in overly sentimental or melodramatic writing. Consider whether a simpler or more direct expression would be more effective in conveying the intended meaning.