without your knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without your knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is done or occurs without someone being aware of it. Example: "The decision was made without your knowledge, and we apologize for not informing you sooner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If any comments appear, you can check to see if they're yours or if your identity was used without your knowledge.

TechCrunch

Your supermarket is not, however, tracking you without your knowledge.

The New York Times - Magazine

You could star in an advertisement — without your knowledge.

The New York Times

Hence, this could never happen without your knowledge, and approval.

Columbia University

Which is why being photographed while eating, and without your knowledge or permission, does feel invasive.

The Guardian - Opinion

And all of this information can be collected without even touching you – and without your knowledge.

The Guardian - Tech

Now imagine that using mind-meld technology, I read your innermost thoughts without your knowledge.

The Guardian - Tech

do you think you had been given a drug without your knowledge or consent?

The Washington Post

They'll be able to get to know you intimately without your knowledge.

Harvard Business Review

Digital refrigerators could be turned off, allowing food to spoil without your knowledge.

The New York Times

Gathers user information through an Internet connection, typically without your knowledge.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without your knowledge" to clearly convey that someone was not informed or aware of a particular action or situation. It's effective in formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Be mindful of the distinction between "without your knowledge" and "without your consent". The former indicates a lack of awareness, while the latter implies a lack of permission. Use the appropriate phrase depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without your knowledge" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an action or event occurred without the subject's awareness. As seen in Ludwig, it clarifies the circumstances under which something happened.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

28%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without your knowledge" is a grammatically sound and versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action or event transpired without someone's awareness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent use across various contexts. Its function is primarily to clarify circumstances and convey a lack of awareness. While interchangeable with alternatives like "unbeknownst to you" or "without your awareness", being mindful of nuances related to secrecy or consent is crucial. Given its high frequency and broad applicability, mastering its usage is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without your awareness

Emphasizes the lack of perception or consciousness regarding the event.

without your realization

Focuses on the lack of comprehension or understanding.

without your knowing

Changes the noun "knowledge" to the gerund "knowing".

unbeknownst to you

Replaces "without your knowledge" with a more literary and emphatic phrase.

unbeknown to you

Omits 'st' from unbeknownst

without your consent

Highlights the absence of permission or agreement.

behind your back

Implies a sense of secrecy or betrayal.

unwittingly

Describes someone performing an action without awareness of its implications.

without your input

Indicates a lack of participation or contribution.

independent of your insight

Highlights lack of specific understanding of a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "without your knowledge" in a sentence?

Use "without your knowledge" to indicate that something happened while someone was unaware. For example, "The changes were implemented "without your knowledge", so we need to catch you up."

What's the difference between "without your knowledge" and "behind your back"?

"Without your knowledge" simply means you weren't aware of something. "Behind your back" implies secrecy and possibly deception.

What are some alternatives to "without your knowledge"?

Alternatives include "unbeknownst to you", "without your awareness", or "without your realization", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "without your knowledge" or "without your consent"?

It depends on the context. "Without your knowledge" means someone was unaware, while "without your consent" means they didn't give permission. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation.