be privy to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be privy to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about being included in a conversation or situation that was previously kept private or confidential. For example, "In her role as a trusted advisor, she was privy to sensitive information about the company's upcoming plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

What information should companies be privy to?

Columbia University

No one would ever be privy to these things.

The New Yorker

Who really wants to be privy to all this?

The New York Times

"I would not be privy to that type of information".

The New York Times

And a burdensome thing to be privy to it.

The New Yorker

But they would not be privy to the amounts paid or the identities of the recipients.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

We're privy to very little information.

The New York Times - Arts

Like I was privy to secrets.

The New York Times - Books

I am privy to a private miracle.

The Guardian

You are privy to certain information.

The New York Times - Sports

This season viewers are privy to fewer patients.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer more direct alternatives such as "know" or "aware" when confidentiality is not a key aspect of the communication.

Common error

Avoid confusing "privy", which means sharing in the knowledge of something secret, with "private", which means belonging to or concerning a particular person or group. Always ensure you're using the correct term to convey your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be privy to" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that someone has access to information that is not generally known. It implies a certain level of trust or inclusion in a select group. This is validated by Ludwig, confirming its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be privy to" is a verb phrase used to indicate that someone is aware of or has access to confidential or non-public information. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources, reflecting its use in describing access to information not widely available. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what information is being shared and that the implication of confidentiality is relevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be let in on

Implies being told a secret or being included in a private conversation or plan.

be clued in on

Similar to "be let in on", but often suggests a more informal or casual context.

be in the know

Emphasizes having insider knowledge or being part of a select group with access to information.

have access to

Indicates the ability or right to obtain or use something, including information.

be apprised of

Highlights the formal act of being officially informed about something.

be aware of

Focuses on having knowledge or consciousness of something, which may or may not be confidential.

be cognizant of

Indicates a formal awareness or understanding of something, often sensitive or important.

be informed about

Stresses the act of receiving information, without necessarily implying confidentiality.

be acquainted with

Highlights familiarity with something, suggesting a less exclusive or secretive context.

be familiar with

Implies a general understanding or knowledge, often less specific or confidential.

FAQs

How can I use "be privy to" in a sentence?

Use "be privy to" when you want to express that someone is allowed to know about something that is secret or not generally known. For example, "As a senior manager, she was "privy to" the company's restructuring plans".

What can I say instead of "be privy to"?

You can use alternatives like "be aware of", "be in the know", or "have access to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be privy to" or "be private to"?

"Be privy to" is correct when you mean to share in the knowledge of something secret. "Be private to" isn't a standard phrase; instead, use "private" to describe something belonging to an individual or group.

What's the difference between "be privy to" and "be aware of"?

"Be privy to" implies that the information is confidential or not widely known, while "be aware of" simply means having knowledge about something, regardless of its confidentiality.