English Prepositions: with and without
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
With and without are very important words. They show how things or people connect. With means things are together. Without means something is missing. These words are easy to learn. They never change their form. You can use them in many sentences. For example, "I walk with my dog." Or, "I walk without my dog." The meaning changes completely! These words help you speak better English.How This Grammar Works
With shows that things are together. It means something is there. For example, "He drinks coffee with milk." The milk is in the coffee. It is part of the drink.Without shows that something is missing. It is the opposite of with. For example, "She drinks tea without sugar." There is no sugar in the tea. These words are simple. You do not need to change them. They stay the same in every sentence. You can use them in casual or formal talk.
Formation Pattern
with | a noun / a pronoun | with my family | I travel with my family. |
with a spoon | Eat your soup with a spoon. |
without | a noun / a pronoun | without sugar | I like coffee without sugar. |
without me | They left without me. |
When To Use It
with:- 1People or animals together: Use
withwhen people are together.
I go to the concert with my sister.(She is with you.)He lives with his dog.(The dog is his friend.)Are you coming with us?(Joining a group.)
- 1Using a tool: Use
withto show what tool you use.
You cut paper with scissors.(Scissors are the tool.)I write with a blue pen.(The pen is the tool.)She eats with chopsticks.(Chopsticks are the tool.)
- 1Describing things: Use
withto describe a person or thing.
The girl with red hair is my friend.(She has red hair.)I saw a man with a big bag.(He has a bag.)I want a pizza with cheese.(The pizza has cheese.)
- 1How you do something: Use
withto show a feeling or style.
He speaks with a strong accent.(How he speaks.)She listens with interest.(How she listens.)They work with a smile.(Their style of work.)
- 1Agreement: Use
withto show you agree or support someone.
I agree with you.(We have the same idea.)Are you with me?(Do you understand or support me?)It is hard to deal with problems.(Managing a situation.)
without:- 1Absence or Lack: Use
withoutwhen something is missing.
My coffee is not good without sugar.(Sugar is not there.)I cannot see without my glasses.(The glasses are missing.)He went to work without his phone.(He does not have his phone.)
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
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subject + Verb + with + Noun
|
I eat with a spoon.
|
|
Negative
|
Subject + Verb + without + Noun
|
I eat without a spoon.
|
|
Question
|
Who/What + Verb + Subject + with?
|
Who do you live with?
|
|
Description
|
Noun + with + Feature
|
The girl with blue eyes.
|
|
Pronoun
|
Preposition + Object Pronoun
|
Come with me.
|
|
Action
|
Preposition + Verb-ing
|
He left without paying.
|
Formality Spectrum
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)
The World of 'With'
People
- with friends together
Tools
- with a pen using
Features
- with a beard having
With vs. Without
Choosing the Preposition
Is something added or together?
Is it missing?
Common Objects
Food
- • with cheese
- • without onions
- • with salt
People
- • with me
- • with them
- • without her
Examples by Level
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.
Easily Confused
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.
Common Mistakes
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...
Sentence Patterns
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.
The 'Plus/Minus' Trick
Pronoun Trap
Describing People
Polite Refusals
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.
Pronunciation
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.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
WITH: We Include These Here. WITHOUT: We Ignore These Out Under Today.
Visual Association
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
Challenge
Look around your room. Name 3 things you have 'with' you and 3 things you are 'without' right now.
Cultural Notes
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).
Conversation Starters
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?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
I 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.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
I open the box ___ a key.
The girl ___ the yellow umbrella is my sister.
He left the house ___ his keys.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
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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