A1 Prepositions 3 min read Fácil

Preposiciones en inglés: con y sin

Dominar 'with' y 'without' te permite dar detalles clave sobre compañía, herramientas y ausencia.
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Practícalo

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'with' to show things or people together, and 'without' to show when something is missing or alone.

  • Use 'with' for people you are with: 'I am with my friend.'
  • Use 'with' for tools or ingredients: 'I eat with a fork.'
  • Use 'without' for things that are missing: 'I like tea without sugar.'
👤 + 🤝 + 👤 = with | 👤 - ☕ = without

Overview

¿Alguna vez trataste de sobrevivir un vuelo largo without tus audífonos? ¿O tal vez pediste un café with leche de avena solo para darte cuenta de que cuesta un dólar extra? Estas dos pequeñas palabras, with y without, son las que marcan el ambiente definitivo en inglés.
Nos dicen qué está incluido y qué falta. Son los signos de más y menos de tus oraciones. Ya sea que estés armando una biografía de Tinder o simplemente pidiendo un burrito en una app, necesitas estas herramientas.
Son simples, pero tienen mucho peso. Una te conecta con el mundo y la otra te da un espacio muy necesario. Veamos cómo funcionan en tu vida diaria.

Overview

Piensa en with y without como los mejores amigos del idioma inglés. Uno es la mariposa social que reúne a todos (with). El otro es el minimalista que prefiere mantener las cosas simples (without).
Estas son preposiciones. Esa es solo una forma elegante de decir que muestran la relación entre las cosas. Si tienes un teléfono en tu mano, estás with tu teléfono.
Si lo perdiste en una fiesta (todos hemos pasado por eso), estás without él. Estas palabras te ayudan a describir tu entorno. Te ayudan a especificar tus necesidades.
Te ayudan a expresar tus sentimientos. Son esenciales para estudiantes de nivel A1 porque aparecen en todas partes. Desde descripciones de Instagram hasta entrevistas de trabajo, no puedes escapar de ellas.
¿Y por qué querrías hacerlo? Hacen que tus oraciones sean claras y específicas. Sin ellas, solo estarías señalando cosas como un turista confundido.
Con ellas, suenas como alguien que sabe exactamente lo que quiere.

How This Grammar Works

Usar with y without es como jugar con bloques de Lego. Simplemente los encajas. No necesitas cambiar la ortografía.
No necesitas preocuparte por tiempos verbales complejos. Son muy estables. Simplemente colocas la preposición antes de un sustantivo o un pronombre.
Por ejemplo, with + my friend o without + her. Ese es el motor básico. Funciona para personas, objetos e incluso ideas abstractas como 'love' o 'fear'.
Puedes usarlas para describir cómo haces algo. Por ejemplo, puedes escribir with un bolígrafo. También puedes usarlas para describir lo que llevas.
¿Estás with un paraguas? ¿O te estás empapando without uno? Estas palabras también funcionan perfectamente con la comida.
Es la diferencia entre una hamburguesa simple y una obra maestra. Solo recuerda que siempre necesitan un objeto. No puedes decir simplemente I am with. La gente esperará a que termines.
¿With quién? ¿With qué?
¡No los dejes en suspenso! Es como dejar un 'choca esos cinco' en el aire.

Formation Pattern

1
Crear oraciones con estas preposiciones es un proceso de tres pasos. Es más fácil que configurar un nuevo perfil de Netflix.
2
Empieza con tu idea principal (un sustantivo o una frase verbal).
3
Agrega tu preposición: with o without.
4
Agrega el objeto (la persona, cosa o idea).
5
Aquí hay una tabla simple para mostrar cómo se ve en acción:
6
Subject + Verb | Preposition | Object | Result
7
I drink tea | with | sugar | I drink tea with sugar.
8
She walks | without | shoes | She walks without shoes.
9
They play | with | us | They play with us.
10
¿Notas cómo la preposición nunca cambia? No importa si el sujeto es I, She o They. La preposición se mantiene exactamente igual. Es la parte más leal de la oración. También puedes usarlas al principio de una oración para dar énfasis.
Without you, I am lost.
(Muy dramático, perfecto para la letra de una canción o un mensaje desesperado). O,
With this app, I can learn English faster.
Esta flexibilidad las hace muy poderosas. Solo sigue el patrón: [Acción/Cosa] + [Preposición] + [Sustantivo/Pronombre]. Es una fórmula ganadora siempre.

When To Use It

Encontrarás un millón de razones para usar with y without. Veamos los escenarios más comunes.
  • Accompaniment: Esto es para cuando haces cosas con gente. "I'm at the mall with Sarah." Muestra que no eres un fantasma solitario.
  • Tools and Instruments: ¿Cómo estás haciendo la acción? "I'm filming this TikTok with my new tripod." El trípode es tu herramienta.
  • Ingredients and Features: Perfecto para comida y aparatos.
    A latte with vanilla syrup
    o
    A laptop with a touch screen.
  • Manner or Feeling: ¿Cómo te sientes?
    He speaks with confidence.
    O
    She listened without interest
    (Auch, público difícil).
  • Possession: ¿Qué tienes?
    The girl with the blue hair.
    Te ayuda a identificar personas en una multitud.
  • Conditions: "You can't enter without a ticket." Establece las reglas.
Ya sea que estés mensajeando en tu chat grupal o pidiendo Uber Eats, estas palabras son tus mejores herramientas. Te ayudan a ser preciso. Nadie quiere una cebolla sorpresa en su hamburguesa. ¡Usa without para salvar tu comida!

Common Mistakes

Aunque estas palabras son simples, la gente todavía se tropieza con ellas. Es como tropezarse con tus propios pies mientras intentas verte genial.
  • Using no instead of without: No digas
    I go to school with no books.
    Aunque la gente podría entenderte, suena un poco torpe. Usa
    I go to school without books.
    Es más limpio.
  • Wrong word order: No pongas la preposición al final de una afirmación simple como
    The sugar with tea is good.
    Di
    Tea with sugar is good.
    A la preposición le gusta estar en medio de la acción.
  • Using and when you mean with:
    I study and my friend
    está mal. Usa
    I study with my friend.
  • Forgetting the object: No puedes decir simplemente I am without. ¿Without qué? ¿Tu teléfono? ¿Tu dignidad? ¿Tus llaves? Siempre termina la idea.
  • Confusing with and by: Esto es común. No digas
    I write by a pen.
    Usa
    I write with a pen.
    with es para la herramienta física. by es para el método (como by hand).
Evita estos errores y te verás como un profesional. Incluso si cometes un error, no te preocupes. ¡Los hablantes de inglés suelen estar with you, no en tu contra!

Contrast With Similar Patterns

A veces otras palabras intentan robarle el protagonismo a with y without. Aclaremos la confusión.
  • with vs. for: with muestra conexión.
    I am with you.
    for muestra propósito o beneficio.
    This coffee is for you.
    Si le das café a alguien, usa for. Si lo beben juntos, usa with.
  • without vs. except: without muestra ausencia. "I'm without a car.
    except muestra una exclusión de un grupo.
    Everyone is here except John." Usa without para cosas que no tienes. Usa except para cosas que estás dejando fuera de una lista.
  • with vs. by: Como se mencionó, with es para la herramienta.
    Open it with a knife.
    by es para la persona o el medio.
    It was opened by Mark.
    O
    I travel by bus.
Entender estas pequeñas diferencias es como alta definición para tu inglés. Hace que todo sea más nítido y claro.

Quick FAQ

Q

Can I use with for tools?

¡Sí! Úsalo para cualquier cosa que uses para hacer un trabajo.

I eat with a fork.

Q

Is without the same as not with?

Básicamente, sí. Pero without es una sola palabra y suena mucho más natural en la mayoría de los casos.

Q

Can I use with with feelings?

Absolutamente.

She smiled with happiness.
Describe la vibra de la acción.

Q

What is the opposite of with?

En la mayoría de los contextos, el opuesto es without. Son una pareja perfecta.

Q

Can I start a sentence with without?

Sí. Es genial para dar énfasis. "Without Wi-Fi, I can't work." (Una tragedia moderna).

Q

How do I say "I'm with her" in a text?

¡Justo así! "I'm with her at the gym." Es muy común y útil.

Q

Do I need an article after with?

Usualmente sí, si el sustantivo es contable.

With a phone
o
With the manager.

Q

Can I use without + -ing verbs?

¡Sí!

He left without saying goodbye.
Esto es un poco más avanzado, pero muy útil.

Basic Structure of With/Without

Preposition Object Type Example
with
Noun
with a friend
without
Noun
without money
with
Object Pronoun
with me / him / us
without
Object Pronoun
without her / them
with
Gerund (-ing)
with smiling (rare)
without
Gerund (-ing)
without crying

Informal Abbreviations

Full Word Abbreviation Usage
with
w/
Texting/Notes
without
w/o
Texting/Notes

Meanings

Prepositions used to indicate accompaniment, the use of a tool, or the absence of something.

1

Accompaniment

Being together with another person or thing.

“I live with my parents.”

“She is walking with her brother.”

2

Instrument/Tool

Using an object to perform an action.

“I write with a pen.”

“He cuts the bread with a knife.”

3

Possession/Features

Describing a person or thing by what they have.

“The girl with blue eyes.”

“A house with a big garden.”

4

Absence

The lack or omission of something.

“I can't see without my glasses.”

“Coffee without milk, please.”

5

Manner

How an action is performed.

“She speaks with confidence.”

“Handle with care.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Preposiciones en inglés: con y sin
Preposición Significado Principal Ejemplos (inglés)
with
Together with / Having
Coffee with milk, go with friends
with
Using a tool
Cut with a knife, write with a pen
with
Accompaniment
Plays with his band, lives with his family
with
Manner/Quality
Spoke with passion, person with good ideas
without
Not having / Lacking
Tea without sugar, left without a coat
without
Absence of condition
Can't enter without a ticket, impossible without help

Espectro de formalidad

Formal
I shall be accompanied by my colleague.

I shall be accompanied by my colleague. (socializing)

Neutral
I am going with my friend.

I am going with my friend. (socializing)

Informal
I'm hanging with my bestie.

I'm hanging with my bestie. (socializing)

Jerga
I'm rollin' with my squad.

I'm rollin' with my squad. (socializing)

Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

Ejemplos por nivel

1

I drink coffee with milk.

2

She is with her friend.

3

I want water without ice.

4

He plays with a ball.

5

Can you come with me?

6

They are without a car today.

1

The man with the red hat is my uncle.

2

You can't enter without a ticket.

3

I am writing with a new pen.

4

She left the room without a word.

5

We are happy with our new house.

6

He walked home with his dog.

1

He handled the situation with great patience.

2

Without knowing the truth, I cannot decide.

3

I'm bored with this movie.

4

She arrived with her luggage already packed.

5

Can we live without technology?

6

He spoke with a slight accent.

1

The results are consistent with our theory.

2

He was faced with a difficult choice.

3

Without a doubt, this is the best pizza.

4

She was trembling with fear.

5

I can't deal with this right now.

6

With the deadline approaching, we must hurry.

1

With all due respect, I disagree.

2

The project was fraught with difficulties.

3

He is a man with many strings to his bow.

4

Without so much as a glance, he walked past.

5

What with the rain and the wind, the party was ruined.

6

She is synonymous with success.

1

The treaty was signed with a view to ending the war.

2

He was left without a leg to stand on.

3

With the best will in the world, it won't work.

4

She bore the news with stoic resignation.

5

The city was teeming with life.

6

Without recourse to violence, they sought peace.

Fácil de confundir

English Prepositions: with and without vs With vs. By (Instruments)

Learners use 'by' for tools because it feels like the 'method' of doing something.

English Prepositions: with and without vs With vs. And

Sometimes 'with' is used when 'and' is more natural for joining two subjects.

English Prepositions: with and without vs Without vs. Unless

Learners use 'without' to start a conditional clause where 'unless' is needed.

Errores comunes

✗

I am with I.

✓

I am with me.

Always use object pronouns after prepositions.
✗

I write by a pen.

✓

I write with a pen.

Use 'with' for tools you hold.
✗

Coffee with out sugar.

✓

Coffee without sugar.

Without is one word.
✗

I go with bus.

✓

I go by bus.

Use 'by' for transport methods.
✗

He left without to say goodbye.

✓

He left without saying goodbye.

Use the -ing form after 'without'.
✗

The man with the blue eyes is here.

✓

The man with blue eyes is here.

Don't use 'the' for general features unless they are specific.
✗

I am bored of this.

✓

I am bored with this.

The standard preposition for 'bored' is 'with'.
✗

Without your help, I can't do it.

✓

Without your help, I couldn't do it.

Often requires a conditional mood in the main clause.
✗

With the respect...

✓

With all due respect...

This is a fixed idiomatic phrase.

Patrones de oraciones

I like my ___ with ___.

I can't ___ without my ___.

The ___ with the ___ is ___.

He left without ___ing.

Real World Usage

Ordering at Starbucks very common

A latte with oat milk and without sugar, please.

Job Interview occasional

I have five years of experience with Python.

Tech Support common

My computer won't start without the charger.

Texting Friends constant

R u w/ Sarah?

Airport Check-in common

Are you traveling with any liquids?

Dating Apps common

Looking for someone with a good sense of humor.

Regístrate gratis para ver todos los ejemplos
💡

Piensa como "más" o "menos"

Imagina 'with' como un signo de suma (+), añade algo. Y 'without' como un signo de resta (-), quita algo. ¡Esto te ayuda a decidir rápido cuál usar!
This can help you quickly decide which one to use!
⚠️

No confundas 'with' y 'by' para acciones

Recuerda: 'with' es para la *herramienta* que usas (por ejemplo,
write with a pen
). 'By' es para quien hace la acción o el *método* (por ejemplo, written by Shakespeare, travel by bus). ¡No son intercambiables!
🎯

Usa 'without' + verbo con -ing

Si quieres decir que alguien hizo algo y no hizo otra cosa, usa 'without' seguido de un verbo que termine en -ing. Por ejemplo:
She left without saying goodbye.
Es muy común y suena natural.
🌍

Pedir comida usa 'with' / 'without'

Cuando pides comida o bebida, 'with' y 'without' son tus mejores amigos. Coffee with milk, burger without onions. ¡Es súper práctico en cafeterías o apps de comida!
💡

Practica con tu rutina diaria

Piensa en tu día:
I woke up without an alarm.
I ate breakfast with my roommate.
Cuanto más los uses en tus pensamientos, ¡más rápido los aprenderás!

Smart Tips

Always use 'with' for what you want and 'without' for what you don't want. It's the most polite and clear way to order.

I want a burger. No onions. → I'd like a burger without onions, please.

Change it to 'me' or 'us' immediately. Prepositions always take the object form.

Come with we. → Come with us.

Use 'with' for things they are wearing or physical features. It's like a shortcut for a long sentence.

The man has a beard. He is my teacher. → The man with the beard is my teacher.

Always add '-ing' to the verb. Never use 'to' or the base form.

He left without say goodbye. → He left without saying goodbye.

Pronunciación

/wɪð/ or /wɪθ/

The 'th' in With

In 'with', the 'th' can be voiced /ð/ or unvoiced /θ/. Both are correct.

with-a -> /wɪðə/

Linking

When 'with' is followed by a vowel, the 'th' links to the next word.

/wə'θaʊt/

Reduction of Without

In fast speech, the first syllable of 'without' is very short.

Emphasis on Without

I said WITHOUT sugar!

Used when a mistake was made in an order.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

WITH: We Include These Here. WITHOUT: We Ignore These Out Under Today.

Asociación visual

Imagine a magnet. 'With' is the magnet pulling two things together. 'Without' is the same poles pushing things apart, leaving a gap.

Rhyme

With is for a friend or tool, Without means empty, that's the rule!

Story

A chef is making a soup. He adds salt 'with' a spoon. He realizes he is 'without' onions. He goes to the store 'with' his bag.

Word Web

togetherusinghavingmissinglackingaloneaccompanied

Desafío

Look around your room. Name 3 things you have 'with' you and 3 things you are 'without' right now.

Notas culturales

In the UK, 'with' is often used in the phrase 'Are you finished with that?' when a waiter wants to take your plate.

Americans often use 'with' in the phrase 'to go with' meaning to match or look good together.

When invited to a party, 'with' usually implies you can bring a guest ('plus one'), while 'without' is rarely used on invitations but implied if no guest is mentioned.

'With' comes from Old English 'wið', which originally meant 'against' or 'opposite' (like in 'withstand'). 'Without' comes from 'wið' + 'utan' (outside).

Inicios de conversación

“

Do you like your coffee with or without sugar?

“

Who do you live with?

“

What is one thing you cannot live without?

“

If you go to a desert island, who would you go with?

Temas para diario

Describe your best friend. What do they look like? (Use 'with' for features)
Write about your morning routine. What tools do you use?
Imagine a day without technology. What would you do?
Discuss a time you had to work with someone you didn't like.

Errores comunes

Incorrect

Correcto

Incorrect

Correcto

Incorrect

Correcto

Incorrect

Correcto

Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Elige la forma correcta

She arrived at the party ___ her sister.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: with
Aquí, 'with' indica compañía. Ella llegó acompañada de su hermana.
¿Cuál oración es correcta? Opción múltiple

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I can't live without Wi-Fi.
Para expresar que algo es esencial y no puedes estar sin ello, usamos 'without'. ¡El Wi-Fi es bastante esencial hoy en día!
Pon las palabras en orden Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She left without her phone.
El orden correcto es 'Sujeto + Verbo + without + Posesivo + Sustantivo'. ¡Ella olvidó su teléfono!

Score: /3

Ejercicios de practica

8 exercises
Choose the correct preposition. Opción múltiple

I like my pizza ___ extra cheese.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: with
We use 'with' to show an ingredient is added.
Fill in the blank with 'with' or 'without'.

He is very lonely. He is ___ any friends.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: without
Being lonely implies a lack of friends.
Fix the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

She is going to the party with I.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: with me
Prepositions must be followed by object pronouns.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

sugar / coffee / I / without / drink

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I drink coffee without sugar.
The standard order is Subject + Verb + Object + Prepositional Phrase.
Match the opposites. Match Pairs

Match the phrases.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: With milk / Without milk
With and Without are direct opposites.
With or By? Opción múltiple

I open the box ___ a key.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: with
A key is a tool you hold, so use 'with'.
Fill in the blank.

The girl ___ the yellow umbrella is my sister.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: with
Use 'with' to describe someone by what they are carrying.
Choose the correct form. Opción múltiple

He left the house ___ his keys.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: without
If he can't get back in, he is 'without' them.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Elige la forma correcta Completar huecos

He likes his coffee black, ___ milk.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: without
Encuentra y corrige el error Error Correction

I went to the store and my dog.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I went to the store with my dog.
¿Cuál oración es correcta? Opción múltiple

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The manager spoke with anger.
Traduce al inglés Traducción

Translate into English: 'Ella no puede vivir sin su familia.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["She cannot live without her family.","She can't live without her family."]
Pon las palabras en orden Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He can't read without his glasses.
Empareja las frases Match Pairs

Match the following phrases:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Elige la forma correcta Completar huecos

Please leave the package ___ the front desk.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: with
Traduce al inglés Traducción

Translate into English: 'Ella canta con mucha pasión.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["She sings with a lot of passion.","She sings with much passion."]
Encuentra y corrige el error Error Correction

I can't focus work noise.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I can't focus with work noise.
Pon las palabras en orden Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Do you want to go shopping with me?

Score: /10

Preguntas frecuentes (8)

Yes! In casual English, it is very common. For example: 'Who are you going with?' is more natural than 'With whom are you going?'

Yes, it has a negative meaning (lack of something), but it doesn't make the whole sentence grammatically negative like 'not' does.

Use `with` for tools (with a hammer) and `by` for methods or people (by bus, by John).

Use 'with me' for normal accompaniment. 'With myself' is only used if you are the subject of the sentence (e.g., 'I am angry with myself').

Yes, but use the -ing form. 'He left without eating.'

No, it is just an abbreviation for 'with' used in texting and note-taking.

Use 'with'. For example: 'The boy with green eyes.'

No, that is a double negative. Say 'without any' or just 'without' + noun.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Regístrate gratis para practicar

In Other Languages

Spanish high

con / sin

English uses 'by' for transport, Spanish uses 'con'.

French high

avec / sans

English uses -ing after 'without'; French uses the infinitive.

German moderate

mit / ohne

English doesn't change the noun's ending after the preposition.

Japanese low

と (to) / なしで (nashi de)

English prepositions come BEFORE the noun; Japanese particles come AFTER.

Arabic moderate

مع (ma'a) / بدون (bi-duni)

Arabic can use a prefix (bi-) for tools, while English always uses a full word (with).

Chinese low

跟 (gēn) / 没有 (méiyǒu)

Chinese often uses verbs where English uses prepositions.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
At, On, In: Dominando las preposiciones de tiempo y lugar

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