closely guarded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "closely guarded" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that has been securely looked after or guarded with great care, such as a secret or a valuable possession. For example, you could say "The royal family's most valuable jewels are kept in a closely guarded safe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Shops in Belgrade were closed and private security forces closely guarded international banks and foreign companies.

Independent

(Its ingredients are closely guarded).

The New York Times

The site is closely guarded.

The Guardian

Exits and entrances are closely guarded.

Independent

Information about the program is closely guarded.

The Washington Post

There, the recipe is closely guarded.

The New York Times

Their techniques for couching are closely guarded.

The Guardian

* The menus for tomorrow's receptions are a closely guarded secret.

Independent

Microsoft's dominance stems from its closely guarded ownership of Windows.

The Economist

Beyond that, the precise processes are closely guarded.

Independent

The list, closely guarded, has not been publicly disclosed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing information, use "closely guarded" to indicate that access is restricted and secrecy is maintained. For example, "The company's financial records are closely guarded to prevent leaks."

Common error

Avoid using "closely guarded" to simply mean that something is physically near something else. The phrase implies active protection or secrecy, not just closeness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closely guarded" primarily functions as a compound adjective modifying a noun. Ludwig shows it's often used to describe something being protected, kept secret, or secured with great care. It combines the adverb "closely" with the past participle "guarded" to convey the intensity of the protection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

17%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "closely guarded" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to describe something protected or kept secret. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. Analysis of the examples reveals its prevalence in "News & Media", "Encyclopedias" and "Formal & Business" contexts. Alternative phrases include "heavily protected" and "strictly confidential", offering nuanced variations. It's important to use it to indicate active protection or secrecy, not mere physical proximity. Given its frequent usage in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, mastering its usage is beneficial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under tight security

Similar meaning, but structured as a prepositional phrase.

heavily protected

Emphasizes the strength of the protection.

well-secured

Highlights the effectiveness of the security measures.

strictly confidential

Focuses on the secrecy aspect rather than physical guarding.

highly confidential

Similar to "strictly confidential", emphasizing the level of secrecy.

carefully concealed

Emphasizes the act of hiding something carefully.

tightly controlled

Implies a strong degree of management and restriction.

zealously protected

Emphasizes the enthusiasm and dedication in protecting something.

under wraps

An idiomatic expression meaning kept secret.

carefully watched

Focuses on surveillance and monitoring rather than physical protection.

FAQs

How can I use "closely guarded" in a sentence?

Use "closely guarded" to describe something that is being protected with great care or kept secret. For example, "The recipe for the famous sauce is a "closely guarded" secret".

What's a good alternative to "closely guarded"?

Alternatives include "heavily protected", "strictly confidential", or "well-secured", depending on the specific context.

Is "closely guarded" the same as "tightly guarded"?

Yes, "closely guarded" and "tightly guarded" are often used interchangeably to describe something that is well-protected and secured.

What kind of things are typically described as "closely guarded"?

Information, secrets, locations, and valuable items are commonly described as "closely guarded" to indicate a high level of security and restricted access.