ohne
without
Expresses the lack or absence of something or someone.
EXAMPLE
Ich trinke meinen Kaffee immer ohne Zucker.
I always drink my coffee without sugar.
ohne
without
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Meanings
ohne … zu
without … -ing
Introduces an infinitive clause that describes an accompanying action that is not carried out.
EXAMPLE
Er verließ den Raum, ohne ein Wort zu sagen.
He left the room without saying a word.
ohne dass
without
Introduces a subordinate clause that describes an event that does not happen or did not happen.
EXAMPLE
Das Fest war ein Erfolg, ohne dass es zu Problemen kam.
The celebration was a success without any problems occurring.
ohne Weiteres
without difficulty
Means 'without problems', 'easily', or 'without difficulty'.
EXAMPLE
Diese Aufgabe können Sie ohne Weiteres allein erledigen.
You can easily complete this task on your own.
Usage tips
Always with accusative
The preposition 'ohne' (without) always requires the accusative. So the noun or pronoun that follows 'ohne' must be in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Ich gehe nicht ohne meinen Schirm aus dem Haus.
I don't leave the house without my umbrella.
Often without an article
When the absence of something is expressed in a general way, there is often no article after 'ohne' (without). For example, you say 'Ich habe kein Auto' (I don't have a car) or 'Ich bin ohne Auto hier' (I'm here without a car).
EXAMPLE
Er reist immer ohne Gepäck.
He always travels without luggage.
Sentence structure: 'ohne … zu'
The construction 'ohne ... zu + infinitive' (without ... -ing) is used when the subject in the main clause and subordinate clause is identical. The 'zu' stands directly before the infinitive at the end of the clause.
EXAMPLE
Sie ging an mir vorbei, ohne mich zu grüßen.
She walked past me without greeting me.
Sentence structure: 'ohne dass'
The conjunction 'ohne dass' (without) introduces a subordinate clause and is used when the main clause and subordinate clause have different subjects. After 'ohne dass', a complete subordinate clause follows with the verb at the end.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe das Auto repariert, ohne dass mein Vater es gemerkt hat.
I repaired the car without my father noticing.
Typical collocations
Common and useful expressions with 'ohne' (without) are 'ohne Zweifel' (without a doubt), 'ohne Frage' (without question), 'ohne Grund' (without reason), and 'ohne Erfolg' (without success).
EXAMPLE
Er ist ohne Zweifel der beste Spieler der Mannschaft.
He is without a doubt the best player on the team.
Fixed expression
The expression 'ohne Weiteres' (without difficulty / easily) is a fixed expression and means 'without problems' or 'quite simply'. You should learn it as a unit.
EXAMPLE
Du kannst das Formular ohne Weiteres online ausfüllen.
You can easily fill out the form online.
Compare with
ohne vs außer
except / besides
„Ohne“ focuses on the absence of a person or thing. „Außer“, by contrast, names a person or thing as an exception to a group or general statement. If Anna is absent, both can work, but „ohne Anna“ describes the absence, while „außer Anna“ describes the exception.
ohne
Alle Gäste kamen ohne Anna zur Feier.
All the guests came to the party without Anna.
außer
Alle Gäste kamen außer Anna zur Feier.
All the guests came to the party except Anna.
In real life
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