confide in

USAGE SUMMARY

"confide in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express trust in someone by disclosing your feelings or thoughts to them. Example: After years of being close friends, I felt I could finally confide in her about my most intimate feelings.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Whom could he confide in?

The New Yorker

Confide in your new supervisor.

The New York Times

Do you confide in horses?

The Guardian - Music

And they confide in each other constantly.

The New York Times

Can she confide in her distant mother?

The Economist

No girlfriends to confide in?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Penitents and patients readily confide in them.

The Economist

He asks her to confide in him.

The New Yorker

She and Laurel confide in each other.

The New Yorker

There is nobody nearby to confide in.

The Guardian

"He was able to confide in me.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "confide in", ensure that the context suggests a level of trust and intimacy between the speaker and the person being confided in. Avoid using it in situations where the information being shared is trivial or widely known.

Common error

Avoid using "confide in" when simply informing someone of a fact. This phrase implies a deeper level of trust and sharing of personal or sensitive information, not just relaying data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confide in" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the act of entrusting someone with private or sensitive information. It emphasizes the speaker's trust in the listener, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples showing individuals sharing personal thoughts and feelings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

36%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "confide in" is a commonly used phrasal verb that indicates sharing personal or secret information with someone based on trust. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Wiki sources. The phrase implies a close relationship and is suitable for neutral to informal communication. When writing, remember that using "confide in" accurately requires a context of trust and intimacy, making it distinct from merely informing someone of a fact. Consider alternatives like "open up to" or "share secrets with" to fine-tune the nuance of your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

open up to

Suggests a gradual process of revealing one's inner thoughts and feelings, often implying vulnerability.

share secrets with

Focuses specifically on the act of revealing secrets, implying a mutual understanding of discretion.

take into one's confidence

Implies a deliberate act of inviting someone into a circle of trust.

entrust with a secret

Highlights the act of giving someone a secret to keep, emphasizing trust and responsibility.

disclose personal feelings to

Specifically refers to sharing emotions, rather than just information.

take into your trust

Emphasizes the act of trusting someone with sensitive information, highlighting the vulnerability involved.

reveal innermost thoughts to

Emphasizes the depth and intimacy of the shared thoughts, suggesting a high level of trust.

divulge private matters to

Highlights the sensitive or personal nature of the information being shared.

unburden oneself to

Suggests that sharing the information provides relief to the speaker, implying a burden being lifted.

seek counsel from

Suggests seeking advice or guidance, implying a more formal or problem-solving context.

FAQs

How do I use "confide in" in a sentence?

Use "confide in" to describe sharing a secret or personal information with someone you trust. For example, "I felt comfortable enough to confide in her about my anxieties."

What does it mean to "confide in" someone?

To "confide in" someone means to share personal or secret information with them because you trust them. It implies a level of intimacy and vulnerability.

What are some alternatives to "confide in"?

Alternatives include "open up to", "share secrets with", or "entrust with a secret", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to "confide in" a stranger?

While it's possible to "confide in" someone you've just met, the phrase typically implies a pre-existing level of trust. Sharing highly personal information with a stranger might be described differently, such as "venting to" or "opening up to" a stranger.