without their backing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without their backing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something cannot be achieved or is less likely to succeed without the support or endorsement of certain individuals or groups. Example: "The project will struggle to gain traction without their backing from the investors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Without their backing, the IMF deal is frozen.

The Economist

If Russia and China block UN action, there could be a case for acting without their backing.

The Guardian

"This year many more people entered the race without their backing, and so nothing is really clear".

The New York Times

Marks & Spencer's board rejected all three, saying they undervalued the company, and Mr. Green has so far not been willing to undertake a formal deal without their backing.

The New York Times

Because the founding Walton family owns more than half of all shares, it is impossible to make any changes to the board or pass any proposals without their backing.

The New York Times

Stan Woods, an ILWU member who supports the port shutdown, said he was "sorry [union leadership] had taken that stance" but even without their backing it was likely rank-and-file workers would honour picket lines.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Arena theatres also complicate the management of the movement pattern for actors (the "blocking"), as they must perform to all sides of the stage without having their backs to any one side for too long a time and without preventing one part of the audience from seeing other actors.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the show 60 years ago the mannequins were expected to curtsy to royalty and work the catwalk without turning their backs on Princess Margaret.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A more moderate set of leaders in Brazil, Uruguay and Guatemala put forth an alternative: reducing poverty through major social reforms without turning their backs on democratic institutions or private property rights.

The New York Times

Spiller's 'Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)', Xpress 2's 'Lazy' (featuring David Byrne on vocals) -  these are four-to-the-floor pop songs that got it right; able to court mass appeal without turning their backs on the club.

Vice

No matter how hard you want it, there are only a few chances that you will be able to loose ten pounds in a couple of days without gaining their back soon afterwards.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "without their backing", ensure the context clearly identifies who "they" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid overstating the impact of the lack of backing. While the absence of support may hinder progress, it doesn't automatically guarantee failure. Acknowledge potential alternative paths or resources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without their backing" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The phrase indicates a lack of support or endorsement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without their backing" is a grammatically correct and usable prepositional phrase that signifies the absence of support or endorsement from a specific group. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, particularly in news and media, wiki, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "without their support" or "lacking their endorsement" exist, "without their backing" carries a nuance of active and influential support. When using this phrase, clarity in identifying "they" and avoiding overstatements are crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without their support

Replaces "backing" with the more general term "support", maintaining the same core meaning.

lacking their endorsement

Substitutes "without" with "lacking" and "backing" with "endorsement", emphasizing formal approval.

absent their approval

Uses "absent" to indicate the lack of approval, highlighting the formal consent aspect.

without their consent

Focuses specifically on the lack of permission or agreement.

devoid of their assistance

Emphasizes the absence of help or aid, using more formal vocabulary.

unsupported by them

Changes the structure to a passive voice, focusing on the lack of support from the group.

unaided by their influence

Highlights the absence of influence or leverage provided by the group.

detached from their patronage

Implies a separation from a relationship where support is expected or traditional.

independent of their advocacy

Stresses the autonomous nature of an action, free from the group's promotion or defense.

isolated from their championing

Suggests a lack of active defense or promotion by the group.

FAQs

What does "without their backing" mean?

The phrase "without their backing" means that something is happening or being attempted without the support, approval, or endorsement of a particular group or individuals. It implies that their support is important or necessary for success.

What can I say instead of "without their backing"?

You can use alternatives like "without their support", "lacking their endorsement", or "absent their approval" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "without their support" or "without their backing"?

Both "without their support" and "without their backing" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Backing" implies a more active or influential form of support, while "support" is more general. Choose the word that best fits the specific context.

How to use "without their backing" in a sentence?

You can use "without their backing" to indicate that a project, plan, or idea is proceeding without the necessary or expected support. For example: "The project will likely fail "without their backing" from the investors."