English grammar
Without + object + -ing
Plan a secret with without + -ing.
From the scene Without him finding out
In short
Without takes -ing, with the person doing it just before: without him finding out. Same person: without saying a word.
Your turn
Which one goes with same pattern, a different verb?
Options: without him finding out · without anyone suspecting · without him knowing
Show answer
same pattern, a different verb → without him knowing
How it works
Without is followed by -ing, and the person doing the action goes right before it, as an object pronoun.
Good to know
Without him finding out, without me finding out, without anyone suspecting.
Good to know
If it's the same person doing both things, just drop the object: without saying a word.
the person doing it goes right before -ing without him finding out
Nuria
And how do we do it without him finding out?
¿Y cómo lo hacemos sin que se entere?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And how do we do it (blank)?
Options: without him finding out · without him knowing · without anyone suspecting
Show answer
Nuria
And how do we do it without him finding out?
¿Y cómo lo hacemos sin que se entere?
same pattern, a different verb without him knowing
Nuria
OK. And Marisa? Do we tell her without him knowing?
Vale. ¿Y Marisa? ¿Se lo decimos sin que él lo sepa?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
OK. And Marisa? Do we tell her (blank)?
Options: without him finding out · without anyone suspecting · without him knowing
Show answer
Nuria
OK. And Marisa? Do we tell her without him knowing?
Vale. ¿Y Marisa? ¿Se lo decimos sin que él lo sepa?
an indefinite person + -ing without anyone suspecting
Javi
Saturday, in this bar, without anyone suspecting.
El sábado, en este bar, sin que nadie sospeche.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Saturday, in this bar, (blank).
Options: without him finding out · without him knowing · without anyone suspecting
Show answer
Javi
Saturday, in this bar, without anyone suspecting.
El sábado, en este bar, sin que nadie sospeche.
the speaker themself + -ing without me finding out
Elena
A party without me finding out? Impossible, darling!
¿Una fiesta sin que yo me entere? ¡Imposible, cariño!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
A party (blank)? Impossible, darling!
Options: without him knowing · without me finding out · without him finding out
Show answer
Elena
A party without me finding out? Impossible, darling!
¿Una fiesta sin que yo me entere? ¡Imposible, cariño!
a different connector, same idea so he doesn't suspect
Javi
I'll tell him it's a quiet dinner, so he doesn't suspect.
Le digo que es una cena tranquila, para que no sospeche.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
I'll tell him it's a quiet dinner, (blank).
Options: without him knowing · so he doesn't suspect · without him finding out
Show answer
Javi
I'll tell him it's a quiet dinner, so he doesn't suspect.
Le digo que es una cena tranquila, para que no sospeche.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| the person doing it goes right before -ing | without him finding out |
|---|---|
| same pattern, a different verb | without him knowing |
| an indefinite person + -ing | without anyone suspecting |
| the speaker themself + -ing | without me finding out |
| a different connector, same idea | so he doesn't suspect |
More lines from the story
- JaviHis stag do, of course.Su despedida de soltero, claro.