Prépositions anglaises : avec et sans
outils et l'absence.
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.'
Overview
without tes écouteurs ? Ou peut-être que t'as commandé un café with du lait d'avoine pour réaliser ensuite que ça coûte un dollar de plus ? Ces deux petits mots, with et without, mettent vraiment l'ambiance en anglais.with et without comme les meilleurs amis de la langue anglaise. L'un est le papillon social qui rassemble tout le monde (with). L'autre est le minimaliste qui préfère garder les choses simples (without).with ton téléphone.without lui. Ces mots t'aident à décrire ton environnement. Ils t'aident à préciser tes besoins.How This Grammar Works
with et without, c'est comme jouer avec des briques Lego. Tu as juste à les emboîter. Tu n'as pas besoin de changer l'orthographe.with + my friend ou without + her. C'est le moteur de base. Ça marche pour les gens, les objets, et même les idées abstraites comme l'amour ou la peur.with un stylo. Tu peux aussi les utiliser pour décrire ce que tu transportes.with un parapluie ? Ou est-ce que tu te fais tremper without un ? Ces mots marchent aussi parfaitement avec la nourriture.I am with. Les gens vont attendre que tu finisses.With who? With what?Ne les laisse pas en plan ! C'est comme laisser un high-five en l'air.
Formation Pattern
with ou without.
with | sugar | I drink tea with sugar.
without | shoes | She walks without shoes.
with | us | They play with us.
She, ou They. La préposition reste exactement la même. C'est la partie la plus loyale de la phrase. Tu peux aussi les utiliser au début d'une phrase pour mettre l'accent dessus. Without you, I am lost. (Très dramatique, parfait pour une parole de chanson ou un texto désespéré). Ou, With this app, I can learn English faster. Cette flexibilité les rend très puissants. Suis juste le modèle : [Action/Chose] + [Préposition] + [Nom/Pronom]. C'est une formule gagnante à tous les coups.
When To Use It
with et without. Regardons les scénarios les plus courants.- Accompaniment: C'est pour quand tu fais des choses avec des gens. "I'm at the mall
withSarah." Ça montre que tu n'es pas un fantôme solitaire. - Tools and Instruments: Comment fais-tu l'action ? "I'm filming this TikTok
withmy new tripod." Le trépied est ton outil. - Ingredients and Features: Parfait pour la nourriture et les gadgets.
A latte
ouwithvanilla syrupA laptop
witha touch screen. - Manner or Feeling: Comment te sens-tu ?
He speaks
Ouwithconfidence.She listened
(Aïe, public difficile).withoutinterest - Possession: Qu'est-ce que tu as ?
The girl
Ça t'aide à identifier les gens dans une foule.withthe blue hair. - Conditions: "You can't enter
withouta ticket." Ça fixe les règles.
without pour sauver ton repas !Common Mistakes
- Using
noinstead ofwithout: Ne dis pasI go to school with no books.
Même si les gens pourraient te comprendre, ça sonne un peu lourd. UtiliseI go to school
C'est plus propre.withoutbooks. - Wrong word order: Ne mets pas la préposition à la fin d'une simple affirmation comme
The sugar
Diswithtea is good.Tea
La préposition aime être au milieu de l'action.withsugar is good. - Using
andwhen you meanwith:I study and my friend
est faux. UtiliseI study
withmy friend. - Forgetting the object: Tu ne peux pas juste dire
I am without.Sans quoi ? Ton téléphone ? Ta dignité ? Tes clés ? Finis toujours ta pensée. - Confusing
withandby: C'est courant. Ne dis pasI write by a pen.
UtiliseI write
witha pen.withest pour l'outil physique.byest pour la méthode (commeby hand).
with toi, pas contre toi !Contrast With Similar Patterns
with et without. Clarifions la confusion.withvs.for:withmontre la connexion.I am
withyou.formontre le but ou le bénéfice.This coffee is
Si tu donnes du café à quelqu'un, utiliseforyou.for. Si vous le buvez ensemble, utilisewith.withoutvs.except:withoutmontre l'absence. "I'mwithouta car."exceptmontre une exclusion d'un groupe.Everyone is here
UtiliseexceptJohn.withoutpour les choses que tu n'as pas. Utiliseexceptpour les choses que tu laisses en dehors d'une liste.withvs.by: Comme mentionné,withest pour l'outil.Open it
witha knife.byest pour la personne ou le moyen.It was opened
OubyMark.I travel
bybus.
Quick FAQ
Can I use with for tools?
Oui ! Utilise-le pour tout ce que tu utilises pour faire un travail.
I eat with a fork.
Is without the same as not with?
En gros, oui. Mais without est un seul mot et sonne beaucoup plus naturel dans la plupart des cas.
Can I use with with feelings?
Absolument.
She smiled with happiness. Ça décrit l'ambiance de l'action.
What is the opposite of with?
Dans la plupart des contextes, l'opposé est without. Ils forment une paire parfaite.
Can I start a sentence with without?
Oui. C'est super pour l'emphase. "Without Wi-Fi, I can't work." (Une tragédie moderne).
How do I say "I'm with her" in a text?
Juste comme ça ! "I'm with her at the gym." C'est très courant et utile.
Do I need an article after with?
Généralement, oui, si le nom est dénombrable.
With a phone ou With the manager.
Can I use without + -ing verbs?
Oui !
He left without saying goodbye. C'est un peu plus avancé, mais très utile.
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.
Accompaniment
Being together with another person or thing.
“I live with my parents.”
“She is walking with her brother.”
Instrument/Tool
Using an object to perform an action.
“I write with a pen.”
“He cuts the bread with a knife.”
Possession/Features
Describing a person or thing by what they have.
“The girl with blue eyes.”
“A house with a big garden.”
Absence
The lack or omission of something.
“I can't see without my glasses.”
“Coffee without milk, please.”
Manner
How an action is performed.
“She speaks with confidence.”
“Handle with care.”
Reference Table
| Préposition | Sens principal | Exemples (en anglais) |
|---|---|---|
|
with
|
Ensemble avec / Ayant
|
Coffee with milk, go with friends
|
|
with
|
Utilisant un outil
|
Cut with a knife, write with a pen
|
|
with
|
Accompagnement
|
Plays with his band, lives with his family
|
|
with
|
Manière/Qualité
|
Spoke with passion, person with good ideas
|
|
without
|
Ne pas avoir / Manquant
|
Tea without sugar, left without a coat
|
|
without
|
Absence de condition
|
Can't enter without a ticket, impossible without help
|
Spectre de formalité
I shall be accompanied by my colleague. (socializing)
I am going with my friend. (socializing)
I'm hanging with my bestie. (socializing)
I'm rollin' with my squad. (socializing)
Exemples par niveau
I drink coffee with milk.
She is with her friend.
I want water without ice.
He plays with a ball.
Can you come with me?
They are without a car today.
The man with the red hat is my uncle.
You can't enter without a ticket.
I am writing with a new pen.
She left the room without a word.
We are happy with our new house.
He walked home with his dog.
He handled the situation with great patience.
Without knowing the truth, I cannot decide.
I'm bored with this movie.
She arrived with her luggage already packed.
Can we live without technology?
He spoke with a slight accent.
The results are consistent with our theory.
He was faced with a difficult choice.
Without a doubt, this is the best pizza.
She was trembling with fear.
I can't deal with this right now.
With the deadline approaching, we must hurry.
With all due respect, I disagree.
The project was fraught with difficulties.
He is a man with many strings to his bow.
Without so much as a glance, he walked past.
What with the rain and the wind, the party was ruined.
She is synonymous with success.
The treaty was signed with a view to ending the war.
He was left without a leg to stand on.
With the best will in the world, it won't work.
She bore the news with stoic resignation.
The city was teeming with life.
Without recourse to violence, they sought peace.
Facile à confondre
Learners use 'by' for tools because it feels like the 'method' of doing something.
Sometimes 'with' is used when 'and' is more natural for joining two subjects.
Learners use 'without' to start a conditional clause where 'unless' is needed.
Erreurs courantes
I am with I.
I am with me.
I write by a pen.
I write with a pen.
Coffee with out sugar.
Coffee without sugar.
I go with bus.
I go by bus.
He left without to say goodbye.
He left without saying goodbye.
The man with the blue eyes is here.
The man with blue eyes is here.
I am bored of this.
I am bored with this.
Without your help, I can't do it.
Without your help, I couldn't do it.
With the respect...
With all due respect...
Structures de phrases
I like my ___ with ___.
I can't ___ without my ___.
The ___ with the ___ is ___.
He left without ___ing.
Real World Usage
A latte with oat milk and without sugar, please.
I have five years of experience with Python.
My computer won't start without the charger.
R u w/ Sarah?
Are you traveling with any liquids?
Looking for someone with a good sense of humor.
Pense à 'plus' ou 'moins'
Coffee with milk (café + lait) ou coffee without sugar (café - sucre).Ne confonds pas 'with' et 'by' pour les actions
write with a pen). 'By' c'est plutôt pour la personne qui fait l'action ou la méthode (par exemple,
written by Shakespeare, travel by bus). Ce n'est pas pareil !Utilise 'without' + verbe en -ing
She left without saying goodbye.C'est une façon très naturelle de parler !
Pour commander, utilise 'with' ou 'without'
Coffee with milk, burger without onions. Super pratique au café ou pour les livraisons !Pratique avec ta routine quotidienne
I woke up without an alarm.(Je me suis réveillé sans réveil) ou
I ate breakfast with my roommate.(J'ai pris le petit-déjeuner avec mon coloc). Plus tu les utilises, plus vite tu les retiendras !
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.
Change it to 'me' or 'us' immediately. Prepositions always take the object form.
Use 'with' for things they are wearing or physical features. It's like a shortcut for a long sentence.
Always add '-ing' to the verb. Never use 'to' or the base form.
Prononciation
The 'th' in With
In 'with', the 'th' can be voiced /ð/ or unvoiced /θ/. Both are correct.
Linking
When 'with' is followed by a vowel, the 'th' links to the next word.
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.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
WITH: We Include These Here. WITHOUT: We Ignore These Out Under Today.
Association visuelle
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
Défi
Look around your room. Name 3 things you have 'with' you and 3 things you are 'without' right now.
Notes culturelles
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).
Amorces de conversation
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?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
She arrived at the party ___ her sister.
Choose the correct sentence:
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /3
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesI like my pizza ___ extra cheese.
He is very lonely. He is ___ any friends.
Find and fix the mistake:
She is going to the party with I.
sugar / coffee / I / without / drink
Match the phrases.
I open the box ___ a key.
The girl ___ the yellow umbrella is my sister.
He left the house ___ his keys.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesHe likes his coffee black, ___ milk.
I went to the store and my dog.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Ella no puede vivir sin su familia.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the following phrases:
Please leave the package ___ the front desk.
Translate into English: 'Ella canta con mucha pasión.'
I can't focus work noise.
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Score: /10
FAQ (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
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
con / sin
English uses 'by' for transport, Spanish uses 'con'.
avec / sans
English uses -ing after 'without'; French uses the infinitive.
mit / ohne
English doesn't change the noun's ending after the preposition.
と (to) / なしで (nashi de)
English prepositions come BEFORE the noun; Japanese particles come AFTER.
مع (ma'a) / بدون (bi-duni)
Arabic can use a prefix (bi-) for tools, while English always uses a full word (with).
跟 (gēn) / 没有 (méiyǒu)
Chinese often uses verbs where English uses prepositions.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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