“without needing to <verb> + …” vs “without the need of <verb + ing> + …”

Question

I don't see which one is fits best:

it is awesome because you can do it without needing to send e-mails

or

it is awesome because you can do it without the need of sending e-mails

Also, are both correct or just one (or none...)?

Both are grammatically correct, I think, but I'd reject both and use "... you can do it without sending e-mails".

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者 · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-13 00:39:22Z

up vote 2 down vote accepted

The first one is correct. The second one can be corrected as:

It is awesome because you can do it without the need to send emails.

answered Jul 13 '12 at 0:39

cornbread ninja 麵包忍者
13.7k22953

3

A gerundophile could also say …without the need for sending e-mails. – choster Jul 13 '12 at 0:48

@choster of course! I'm so embarrassed. (._.) – cornbread ninja 麵包忍者 Jul 13 '12 at 0:50

1

need of sending is OK, too. – John Lawler Jul 13 '12 at 0:55

3

My new word of the day: gerundophile. I am loving it. – JAM Jul 13 '12 at 1:25

@John Lawler - Why are "need of sending" and "need to send" both correct? – Carlo_R. Jul 13 '12 at 1:55

RegDwighт · Answer 2 · 2013-04-10 09:19:28Z

Here are two samples where "without the need of", not "to", is used:

Apple's AirPlay May Soon Work Without The Need Of A Wifi Network
TAX REFUNDS: Income Tax refunds will be devoted each year, as periodic payments, to the plan’s funding until plan completion. The tender of such payments shall deem the plan modified by such amount, increasing the base thereby without the need of further notice, hearing or Court order. In [sic] need be for the use by debtor(s) of a portion of such refund, debtor(s) shall seek Court’s authorization prior to any use of funds.
— Source

I guess it's a matter of whether you use a verb or a noun after the phrase:

2 Answers