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Grammar fix

do without

manage without

To cope or continue even though you do not have something you usually need or want.

phrasal verbB1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • During the power cut, we had to do without electricity for several hours.daily life
  • If I had to do without the internet for a week, I think it would be really difficult because I use it for both studying and staying in touch with friends.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: do without (something/someone)

WrongI can't do without of my morning coffee.

RightI can't do without my morning coffee.

'Do without' takes the object directly — no 'of'.

Patterndo without (something/someone)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff We shall have to manage in the absence of a car.

Natural We'll just have to do without a car.

'Do without' compactly means manage lacking something; the formal paraphrase is clunky.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • do without + thing
    a carluxuriesityour help

Don't confuse it

Not the same as 'do with', which means to want or need something.

Try it in Daily Speak →