without them knowing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without them knowing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe a situation in which someone is doing something without the knowledge or consent of another person. For example: "I sent the message to my friends without them knowing what I was planning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How could he and his family escape without them knowing?

The Guardian

You can't have anything delivered without them knowing – oh, another parcel for the gay couple upstairs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ann Brenoff has some cool ideas on how to know more about your kids activity online without them knowing.

Huffington Post

So I can't really go out without them knowing".

The Guardian

Is it OK to portray people without them knowing?

The Guardian

This change was without them knowing and without any of them consenting to this change.

Princeton University

"We're putting celebrities in an awkward situation without them knowing about it.

Independent

"A good operator learns how to rein them in without them knowing".

The New Yorker

Ten subjects lifted a box (1.6 kg), of which the mass was increased by 10 kg without them knowing so.

Human Movement Science

"The drone captured every single person walking into the ceremony without them knowing.

The Washington Post

Some advertising aims to elicit customer data and information without them knowing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "without them knowing", ensure the context clearly indicates who "them" refers to, especially in complex sentences.

Common error

Avoid using "without them knowing" when the pronoun "them" is unclear. This can lead to confusion about who is unaware of the action. Clarify the subject to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without them knowing" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb, clause, or sentence by indicating the manner in which an action is performed—specifically, that it is done without the knowledge or awareness of the individuals referred to by "them". Ludwig AI confirms the validity and common usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

28%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "without them knowing" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that an action occurs without the knowledge or awareness of a specific group. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. It's commonly found in news articles, wiki articles, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating who "them" refers to, and be mindful of the ethical implications of acting without someone's knowledge. Alternatives like "unbeknownst to them" or "secretly" can be used depending on the desired tone and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without their awareness

Replaces "knowing" with the noun "awareness".

unbeknownst to them

Uses a more formal word to indicate lack of knowledge.

in their absence of knowledge

A longer, more explicit version of the original phrase.

without their realization

Substitutes "knowing" with "realization" to emphasize a lack of understanding.

without their perception

Emphasizes that they did not notice or perceive the action.

without their consent

Highlights the absence of permission, implying a lack of knowledge.

secretly

A single-word adverb emphasizing the hidden nature of the action.

behind their backs

An idiom indicating secrecy and potential betrayal.

surreptitiously

A more formal synonym for "secretly".

unwittingly

Describes the state of the person who is unaware.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "without them knowing" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "unbeknownst to them" or "without their awareness".

What's a more direct alternative to "without them knowing"?

Alternatives like "secretly" or "surreptitiously" offer a more concise way to express the same idea.

Is it always appropriate to use "without them knowing"?

The appropriateness of using "without them knowing" depends on the context. It's essential to consider the ethical implications of acting without someone's knowledge or consent.

How does "without them knowing" differ from "behind their backs"?

"Without them knowing" is a neutral description of an action taken in someone's absence of knowledge. "Behind their backs" implies a sense of betrayal or deception.