# without

/wɪˈðaʊt/ (US) · /wɪðˈaʊt/ (UK) · CEFR A1 · Preposition

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/without
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

not having something, or not doing something. You use it when a person or thing is missing from a situation.

For teachers: indicating the absence, lack, or exclusion of a person, object, or action. Functions as the head of a prepositional phrase and requires a noun phrase or gerund as its complement.

## Examples

- I cannot drink coffee without sugar.
- He left the house without his keys and had to wait outside for his roommate to return.
- The project proceeded without any significant delays, despite the initial concerns regarding the budget and the availability of specialized equipment.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He left without to say goodbye" but "He left without saying goodbye" — The preposition 'without' must be followed by a gerund (-ing), not an infinitive.

## Usage notes

- Takes a noun phrase or a gerund (-ing form) as an object. When followed by a verb, that verb must be in the gerund form.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.