Buzz
Employing Without in English
Utilizing Without in English
What do we learn in this article?
- The role of 'Without' in sentences
- How to use the word Without in English
- Common mistakes when using 'Without'
- Illustrative examples of using the word 'Without' in sentences
With the above content, Mytour will present the usage, mistakes to avoid, and illustrative examples when using Without in sentences as well as in communication.
I. The role of 'Without' in sentences
'Without' can be used in a sentence as:
As a preposition (prep) followed by a noun or a gerund (V-ing)
Example: He departed without bidding farewell.
As an adverb (adv) when not followed by a noun.
Example: Due to financial constraints, I'll have to manage without new trainers. - Financially unable to afford new trainers, I'll have to manage without them.
II. Using Without in English
1. When referring to something/someone not present
Example: He tackles math problems without a calculator. - He can solve math problems without using a calculator.
to do/cope/get by without: to manage, continue with tasks even in the absence of something
Example: New trainers are beyond my budget, so I'll have to get by without them. - Unable to afford new trainers, I'll have to manage without them.
Synonyms: absence, deprivation, deficiency...
2. When stating what you do/can't do without someone/something
Example:
- Mytour cannot thrive without its readers.
(Mytour cannot exist without its readers.)
- If others decline to join, we'll proceed without them.
(If others choose not to come, we'll go ahead without them.)
3. Non-occurrence or non-action
a. Used to indicate doing this when not doing something else
Example: Lan shut the door silently. - Lan closed the door without making a sound.
Without so much as: without doing something even though others might expect it
Example: He left without so much as a backward glance. - He departed without even looking back.
b. Used to indicate something didn't or hasn't happened when something else has already occurred.
Example: The procedure advanced smoothly. - The operation proceeded without any major problems.
4. When stating you have no particular emotion when doing something
Example: We embarked on our quest, but with little hope of uncovering anything. - We began our search, but without much hope of finding anything.
5. Common Mistakes when using 'Without'
a. No indefinite article 'a/an' follows 'without' + singular countable noun
Example: How can you live without a telephone nowadays? - Incorrect
Correct Sentence: How can you live without a telephone nowadays? - How can you live without a telephone nowadays?
b. Using 'Without' instead of 'Apart from' or 'In addition to'
Example: Without my mother tongue, I can speak two other languages. - Incorrect
Correct Sentence: Apart from my mother tongue, I can speak English and Chinese. - Besides my native language, I can speak English and Chinese.
c. Using a negating word immediately after 'without'. 'Without' inherently carries a negative meaning.
Example: The flight was delayed, and we had to wait for five hours without anything to eat or drink. - Incorrect
Correct Sentence: The flight was delayed, and we had to wait for five hours without anything to eat or drink. - The flight was delayed, and we had to wait for 5 hours without any food or drink.
III. Illustrative Examples of Using the Word 'Without' in Sentences
1. You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs. - You can't make an omelette without cracking eggs.
2. Can you envision a world without poverty? - Can you imagine a world without poverty?
3. Mytour cannot function without its team of editors. - Mytour cannot operate without its team of editors.
4. It was delightful to hear English spoken devoid of a Spanish accent. - It was wonderful to hear English spoken without a Spanish accent.
Additionally, you should explore the usage of Each - meaning 'one', 'every one' used as a determiner or pronoun in sentences. The usage of Each varies in different types of sentences and their meanings differ as well.
