without the money

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without the money" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations or actions that cannot occur or be completed due to a lack of financial resources. Example: "We cannot proceed with the project without the money needed for materials and labor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Without the money.

The New Yorker

Without the money, her family may starve.

The New York Times

Without the money, Greece would default next month.

The New York Times

"We couldn't move forward without the money".

The New York Times

But she couldn't leave without the money.

The New York Times

Without the money, Parmalat's empire came crashing down.

The Economist

Without the money, the execrated attraction would probably have closed.

The Economist

"I can't do anything without the money," he told Carlos.

The New Yorker

First came the ability to subsidize employees taking public transportation without the money being taxable.

The New York Times

We'd be like disciplined pro athletes, only without the money or the hard bodies.

The New York Times

He went on, "We control the money and they can't do anything without the money.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "without the money", ensure the context clearly indicates what the lack of money prevents or affects. For example, specify the project, goal, or activity hindered by the absence of funds.

Common error

Avoid using "without the money" in vague statements that don't specify the implications. Instead of saying "The project failed without the money", specify what couldn't be done: "The project failed without the money needed for essential equipment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without the money" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a condition or reason why something cannot be done or is affected. It describes a circumstance or limitation, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples, such as "Without the money, Greece would default next month."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without the money" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that acts as an adverbial phrase to indicate a lack of financial resources as a limiting condition. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase commonly appears in news and media, but is also used in science, business and informal contexts. To enhance clarity, it's crucial to specify what exactly is affected by the absence of funds. While generally neutral, more formal alternatives like "lacking the funds" may be preferable in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking the funds

Replaces "money" with the more formal term "funds".

in the absence of funds

Similar to lacking funds but presented as a condition.

devoid of financial resources

More formal and emphasizes the complete absence of financial means.

without financial backing

Focuses on the lack of support from investors or other financial entities.

absent of monetary support

Highlights the absence of financial assistance.

without capital

Focuses on the lack of initial investment or working capital.

strapped for cash

More informal and emphasizes a temporary lack of available money.

underfunded

Implies that there is some funding, but it is insufficient.

broke

Very informal term indicating a complete lack of money.

impecunious

A formal word for having little or no money.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "without the money" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "lacking the funds", "devoid of financial resources", or "in the absence of funds". These options provide a more sophisticated and professional feel.

Is it correct to say "without the money, I can't do anything"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. However, for clarity, you might specify what you can't do. For example, "Without the money, I can't complete the project" provides more context.

What's a more casual way to say "without the money"?

More casual alternatives include "strapped for cash" or even just saying you are "broke", depending on the context and audience.

In what situations is it most appropriate to use "without the money"?

The phrase "without the money" is appropriate in various contexts, including news reports, academic discussions, and everyday conversations, to explain that a particular action or goal is not possible due to lack of funds. However, it should be avoided in very formal writing where "lacking the funds" would be a better fit.