confidentially

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "confidentially" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that should remain secret or private. Example sentence: Please keep this information confidential; it is for your eyes only.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Since Mr Kohl's confession in November that he had kept secret accounts in order to treat certain matters "confidentially", Mr Schäuble had sought to defend his former mentor, while publicly pressing for a "complete clarification" of any misdemeanours "without consideration for anyone".

The Economist

It should never have been made public and should have been dealt with confidentially.

Independent

In other words, Twitter announced that it had filed the initial paperwork for a listing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, the US market regulator, using a new rule that allows companies with less than $1bn in revenues to submit the documents confidentially.

Independent

When Twitter announced yesterday afternoon (via tweet, naturally) that it was planning to file an I.P.O., the company said it had started the process by "confidentially" submitting an S-1 prospectus to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The New Yorker

The Observer understands that the Department for Education confidentially approached De Souza, chief executive of the Inspiration Trust, to ask her to offer evidence in favour of the honour.

The Guardian

However, these figures include MPs who have publicly announced their support along with those who are said to have confidentially disclosed their support to AME but were not prepared to say so publicly at this stage.

The Guardian

By studying court documents in bankruptcy cases, examining public records, requesting documents from local, state and federal governments, as well as talking to priests and bishops confidentially, The Economist has sought to quantify the damage.The picture that emerges is not flattering.

The Economist

It had already withdrawn a set of market-opening measures that Zhu Rongji, the prime minister, laid confidentially before American trade negotiators during his trip to Washington last month (and which the Americans rashly publicised, to China's anger).

The Economist

How could a president's own advisers or foreign leaders talk confidentially to him, if they knew that Congress could demand the transcripts?

The Economist

The defence ministry is encouraging them to register confidentially using an online form.

The Economist

The journal would wait for the government to suggest how the critical data might be shared with scientists confidentially.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "confidentially" to indicate that information should not be shared with others. It's suitable for situations where privacy and discretion are important.

Common error

Avoid confusing "confidentially" (meaning in a confidential manner) with "confidently" (meaning with confidence). The former emphasizes secrecy, while the latter emphasizes assurance.

Linguistic Context

Confidentially primarily functions as an adverb, modifying verbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that something is done in a private, secret, or discreet way. Ludwig AI supports its appropriate usage as an adverb of manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "confidentially" is an adverb used to describe actions performed in a private or secret manner. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and indicates that it's widely employed across various contexts, most prominently in News & Media and Encyclopedias. When using this adverb, it's crucial to ensure that the context aligns with the intention of maintaining discretion and privacy. Remember to not confuse it with the term "confidently". Its frequent usage and clear meaning make it a valuable word for expressing secrecy and trust in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in strict confidence

Emphasizes the high level of secrecy and trust required.

in private

Focuses on the absence of others during the communication.

off the record

Highlights that the information is not intended for public dissemination.

between ourselves

Suggests a shared understanding of secrecy between the speakers.

under the rose

Implies a hidden or secret nature to the information being shared.

in secrecy

Emphasizes the act of keeping something hidden from general knowledge.

discreetly

Highlights the careful and subtle manner in which something is communicated.

personally

Focuses on the direct and private nature of the communication.

in a hushed tone

Refers to a low and quiet voice, suggesting secrecy.

sub rosa

A Latin phrase meaning 'under the rose', indicating secrecy and confidentiality.

FAQs

How to use "confidentially" in a sentence?

Use "confidentially" to modify a verb, indicating that an action is done in a private or secret manner. For example, "The information was shared "confidentially" with a select few".

What can I say instead of "confidentially"?

You can use alternatives like "in private", "off the record", or "discreetly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "speak confidentially"?

Yes, it is correct. "Speak "confidentially"" means to speak in a manner that keeps the information private or secret.

What's the difference between "confidential" and "confidentially"?

"Confidential" is an adjective describing something meant to be kept secret, while ""confidentially"" is an adverb describing how something is done in a secret or private manner.