Meaning & use
without contract
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
working or being employed without a formal written agreement
Grammar: Used after verbs like work, hire, or employ: They hired him without contract.
Patterns
- work without contract
- be employed without contract
- hire someone without contract
She has been working without contract for three months.
The company hired him without contract, so he has few protections.
phrasefixed phrase
done or provided without a formal legal agreement
Grammar: Used to describe actions or services that lack a written agreement: They sold the goods without contract.
Patterns
- do something without contract
- provide something without contract
The builder started the work without contract, which later caused problems.
They agreed to the deal without contract, relying only on trust.
Common combinations
- work without contract
- Many freelancers work without contract and get paid per project.
- hire without contract
- It is risky to hire without contract in this industry.
- employed without contract
- He was employed without contract for years before they made it official.
- without a contract
- You should never start a job without a contract.
Synonyms and how they differ
- without a written agreement
- This is a more general phrase; it can refer to any kind of agreement, not just employment.
- informally
- This adverb describes the manner of working, not the absence of a contract; it does not necessarily mean there is no contract.
Opposites
Commonly confused: without contract or without a contract?
without contract vs without a contract
The version with 'a' is more natural in many sentences: She works without a contract. 'Without contract' is more common in legal or business writing.
Practice
Choose the best completion: 'He was hired ______, so he has no job security.'
Choose one answer.
The phrase 'without a contract' is the most natural in everyday English when talking about one person's situation. 'Without contract' is possible but sounds more like legal shorthand; 'without contracts' suggests multiple contracts, and 'without the contract' refers to a specific contract already mentioned.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “without contract”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.