classified

USAGE SUMMARY

"classified" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as an adjective, referring to information that is restricted from the general public. For example, "The government keeps certain military information classified for security reasons."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Novak told the undercover employees that he took classified materials from Fort Bragg and would share the materials with them, the document said.

The Guardian

The title of Diana Souhami's book, Murder at Wrotham Hill (Quercus) is underwhelming until one discovers it is not on the crime shelves, but is classified as history.

The Guardian - Books

"On review of the article, it appears that several of the claims may have drawn upon classified information.

The Guardian

It is also proposing that the government can add $2bn to its coffers by closing loopholes on multinational tax avoidance, such as changing guidelines on what can be classified as company assets, and allowing the Tax Office to have greater oversight over big international firms.

The Guardian

Snowden emphatically denied speculation that he had cut a deal with the Chinese government, giving them classified documents in exchange for providing him with an eventual safe haven.

The Guardian

Fun facts about the flat back turtle: they're officially classified as "vulnerable" by the Australian Government, and nest only in northern Australia.

The Guardian

For example, in Sierra Leone in 2011 45% (2.5 million people) were classified as food-insecure during the lean season.

The Guardian

The information was not classified at the time the email was sent but was upgraded from "unclassified" to "secret" on Friday at the request of the FBI, according to State Department officials.

The Guardian

Lamb highlighted two major reef-building coral species in the Caribbean that have been classified as endangered after disease swept across the region and led to coral cover losses of up to 95%.

The Guardian

"In seeking to shape press reporting … CIA officers and the CIA's Office of Public Affairs OPAA) provided unattributed background information on the program to journalists for books, articles and broadcasts, including when the existence of the CIA's Detention and Interrogation Program was still classified," the report said.

The Guardian

And it's to be classified as a scrounger – for the cardinal sin of not being as well as other people.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to government or military information, use "classified" to indicate its protected status and the legal implications of unauthorized disclosure.

Common error

Ensure you accurately represent the status of information. Using "classified" when information is publicly available can lead to misinformation and legal issues.

Linguistic Context

The word "classified" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are officially designated as restricted or secret. As noted by Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically correct and widespread. The examples provided by Ludwig, illustrate this function across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "classified" is primarily used as an adjective to describe information designated as restricted or secret. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and widespread use. It’s commonly found in news and formal business contexts, indicating its relevance in discussing sensitive data. When writing, ensure accuracy in using "classified" to avoid misrepresentation of information status. While alternatives like "secret" or "confidential" exist, "classified" carries a specific weight related to official designations. Therefore, pay attention to the context, as explained above.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

categorized

Focuses on the act of placing something into a specific group or category.

secret

Emphasizes the hidden or concealed nature of the information.

restricted

Highlights the limited access to the information.

confidential

Stresses the private and sensitive nature of the information.

graded

Indicates an assignment to a specific level or rank.

designated

Implies a formal assignment to a category.

labeled

Focuses on the act of attaching a descriptive term.

sorted

Highlights the arrangement of items into distinct groups.

arranged

Indicates a structured organization.

filed

Emphasizes the placement of documents or information in a specific location for storage and retrieval.

FAQs

How is the term "classified" typically used in a sentence?

The term "classified" is often used to describe documents or information that are restricted from public access. For example, "The documents were marked "classified"."

What are some alternatives to using "classified"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "secret", "confidential", or "restricted" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "classified" in a business context?

Yes, "classified" can be used in a business context when referring to sensitive or proprietary information that should not be disclosed publicly. However, terms like "confidential" or "proprietary" might be more common.

What is the difference between "classified" and "confidential"?

"Classified" typically refers to information that has been formally designated as requiring protection by a government or organization, often with legal implications. "Confidential", on the other hand, generally refers to information that is private or sensitive but may not have the same legal protections. However, "confidential" may be used as a "classified" substitute in business cases.