Reckon without sth Meaning & Examples: How to Use This Phrasal Verb

What Does “Reckon without sth” Mean?

“Reckon without sth” means to fail to consider something important before making a decision or plan.

Introduction

The phrase “reckon without sth” is a useful phrasal verb in English. It often appears in situations where someone plans or expects something to happen but forgets to think about a key factor. The “sth” stands for “something,” which is usually a problem or obstacle that changes the outcome. Understanding the “reckon without sth meaning” helps you avoid mistakes in speaking and writing. It also improves your ability to explain unexpected results or surprises clearly.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: Reckon without something
• Type: Transitive
• Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
• Short meaning: To fail to consider an important factor

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Reckon without” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means you cannot put the object between “reckon” and “without.”

• Correct: Reckon without something
• Incorrect: Reckon something without

Pattern: reckon without + noun (something)

How to Use Reckon without sth?

Use “reckon without sth” when you want to say that someone made a plan but forgot about an important problem or factor. It often explains why the plan failed or changed.

Example: “She bought the tickets but reckoned without the bad weather, so the trip was canceled.”

Examples

Imagine you planned a picnic but did not think about the rain. You can say:

• “We reckoned without the rain, so our picnic was ruined.”
• “He reckoned without his opponent’s skill and lost the game.”
• “They reckoned without the traffic and arrived late.”
• “We didn’t reckon without the extra costs when budgeting.”
• “She reckoned without the difficulty of the exam.”

These examples show how the phrase explains unexpected problems.

Common Mistakes

Many learners confuse the word order or use the phrase incorrectly. Here are some common errors:

• Incorrect: “He reckoned the rain without.”
• Correct: “He reckoned without the rain.”
• Incorrect: “They reckoned without about the costs.”
• Correct: “They reckoned without the costs.”

Remember, “without” must directly follow “reckon.”

Differences / Synonyms

“Reckon without sth” is similar to “fail to take into account” or “not consider.” However, it is more informal and usually used when something unexpected causes problems.

• Fail to take into account: Formal, used in writing.
• Overlook: Means to miss something but less about planning.
• Reckon without: Emphasizes a mistake in planning due to ignoring a key factor.

Common Collocations

You often see “reckon without” paired with these words:

• Rain: Unexpected weather problem
• Costs: Extra expenses
• Opposition: Resistance or challenge
• Traffic: Delays on the road
• Difficulty: Unexpected challenges

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of reckon without sth:

• Reckon On Sb Doing Sth
• Reckon Without Sb
• Reckon Sth Up
• Reckon On Sth Doing Sth
• Reckon With Sb

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “reckon without sth”:

Anna: We planned to finish the project this week, but it’s taking longer.

Mark: Yes, I think we reckoned without the software issues slowing us down.

Anna: That’s true. We forgot to consider that problem.

Practice

Complete the sentence with the correct phrase:

They __________ the bad weather and had to cancel the outdoor event.

• a) reckoned without
• b) reckoned about
• c) reckoned on

Answer: a) reckoned without

FAQ

• Q: Can I use “reckon without” in formal writing?
  A: It is more common in informal speech but can be used in less formal writing.
• Q: Is “reckon without” separable?
  A: No, the object must come after “without.”
• Q: What does “sth” mean in “reckon without sth”?
  A: “Sth” is short for “something.”
• Q: Can I replace “reckon without” with “ignore”?
  A: Not exactly. “Reckon without” means failing to consider something important, while “ignore” means deliberately not paying attention.
• Q: Is “reckon without” common in American English?
  A: It is more common in British English but understood in American English.