The preposition sans with nouns
The French preposition sans means "without." When you use sans before a noun to express a general lack or absence of something, you typically omit the article (such as un, une, or des).
| We do not buy a computer without a guarantee. | Nous n'achetons pas d'ordinateur sans garantie. |
| He is going to work without limits. | Il va travailler sans limites. |
| I cannot accept without conditions. | Je ne peux pas accepter sans condition. |
Even if you add an adjective to describe the noun, the article is generally still omitted.
| We cannot drive without a valid license. | On ne peut pas conduire sans permis valable. |
The preposition sans with infinitives
You can also use sans followed directly by a verb in its infinitive (unconjugated) form. This is used to express "without doing" something.
| You cannot enter without paying. | Vous ne pouvez pas entrer sans payer. |
| She talks without stopping. | Elle parle sans s'arrêter. |
| The boss started the meeting without waiting. | Le chef a commencé la réunion sans attendre. |
The infinitive verb following sans can also take its own objects, just as it would in English.
| He signed the contract without accepting the guarantee. | Il a signé le contrat sans accepter la garantie. |
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