be held in confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be held in confidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to information that is to be kept secret or not disclosed to others. Example: "All personal information provided will be held in confidence to protect your privacy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

All of your responses will be held in confidence.

Yale University

(b) All reports submitted to NRCS will be held in confidence to the extent permitted by law.

Cornell University

"The census law guarantees that all information given will be held in confidence and only statistical totals will be published.

The New York Times

In Air Force inquiries, witnesses' candor is encouraged by promising that testimony will be held in confidence.

The New York Times

"Foreign government information" — information received from another government with the expectation that it will be held in confidence — is an official category of classified information in secrecy regulations.

The New York Times

Nor can the District Court's order be saved on the ground that it did not direct that all information be held in confidence, but merely deferred the determination of whether the information was entitled to confidential treatment until after the inquiry of respondents had been completed.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It is held in confidence by the government's waste advisory body, Wrap, and aggregated to provide an assessment of how the sector is performing against agreed targets.

The Guardian

For all Facebook's hard-to-follow privacy settings, secret groups are the one place where you can trust that a conversation is being held in confidence.

The New York Times

Mutual trust ensures that you both feel comfortable letting your guard down, knowing that sessions are held in confidence.

Forbes

It is incredible to know that I can pick up the phone or have a glass of wine with a mentor and trust that the conversation is held in confidence and that they are going to be honest with me in their advice.

Huffington Post

Interviews were held in confidence, in a room of the SEP.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When promising that something will "be held in confidence", clearly define the scope and duration of the confidentiality. This avoids misunderstandings about what is covered and for how long.

Common error

Avoid assuming that information will automatically "be held in confidence" without a prior agreement. Always establish clear expectations and get confirmation from all parties involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be held in confidence" functions as a promise or assurance of discretion. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its use in contexts where privacy and non-disclosure are crucial, assuring individuals that shared information will not be revealed to unauthorized parties.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be held in confidence" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that information will be kept private and not disclosed. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usage across various contexts, including academia, news, and science. As highlighted, it’s crucial to define the scope and duration of confidentiality when using this phrase to avoid misunderstandings. Remember that implied confidentiality is not enough; explicit agreements are essential. Using alternatives like ""be kept secret"" or "be treated as confidential" can provide nuanced emphasis depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be kept secret

Focuses on the act of maintaining secrecy, changing the verb.

be treated as confidential

Emphasizes the act of treating information with confidentiality.

remain undisclosed

Highlights the state of not being revealed or made public.

be kept private

Stresses the aspect of personal privacy.

be protected from disclosure

Highlights the active protection against revealing information.

be regarded as privileged information

Emphasizes the special status and protection given to the information.

be handled with discretion

Focuses on the careful and judicious management of the information.

not be divulged

Replaces 'held in confidence' with a single verb implying non-disclosure.

be considered off the record

Highlights the unofficial and confidential nature of the information.

be entrusted in secrecy

Focuses on the act of entrusting information with a promise of secrecy.

FAQs

What does it mean for something to "be held in confidence"?

When information is said to "be held in confidence", it means it will "be kept secret" and not disclosed to unauthorized parties. It implies a promise of privacy and discretion.

How can I ensure information I share will "be held in confidence"?

To ensure information will "be held in confidence", establish a clear agreement with the recipient. This agreement should outline what information is covered, who is authorized to access it, and any limitations on its use or disclosure.

What's the difference between "be held in confidence" and "be treated as confidential"?

The phrases "be held in confidence" and "be treated as confidential" are very similar. Both indicate that information should "be kept private" and not shared. The choice between them often depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Are there legal implications when something is promised to "be held in confidence"?

Yes, promising that something will "be held in confidence" can create legal obligations, especially in professional contexts like law, medicine, and business. Breaching such confidentiality agreements can lead to legal consequences.