discreetly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discreetly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe actions done in a careful and unobtrusive manner, often to avoid drawing attention. Example: "She discreetly passed the note to her friend during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He acted as the family enforcer, discreetly settling problems with some of the thousands of royals who live in the capital.

The Guardian

The Growler, which first saw action in Iraq in 2010 and has been extensively (though discreetly) deployed during the NATO air war against Colonel Qaddafi's forces in Libya, is a souped-up version of the Super Hornet.

The Economist

"They're hoping to negotiate a decrease in violence with that one group".Officials insist there is no going back to the old practice in which Mexican governments turned a blind eye to drug gangs provided they acted discreetly.

The Economist

But as long as firms are now prepared to publish such evidence, it is surely worth considering whether any of them were indeed experimenting discreetly with techniques that outperformed the public numbers.

The Guardian - Opinion

The secret police files, codenamed Gorilla, featured wiretaps of leading financiers meeting discreetly with centre-right governing politicians to trade government tenders for cash.

The Guardian

And, for second generation Latinos who discreetly agonize over our Spanish language attrition.

The Guardian - Opinion

But in a move that was barely noticed at the time, the Queen discreetly based herself at Windsor Castle after the 2010 election, and sent the political leaders a quiet signal not to bother her until a credible prime minister had emerged.

The Guardian

Leaked memos suggested that Whitehall was discreetly considering grisly specifics, such as arbitrarily cutting some disabled adults' stipend, simply because they happened to be young.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the library, discreetly located off to one side of the courtyard, we plonked ourselves down in front of the roaring, pine-scented open fire and took a long breath.

The Guardian - Travel

One paper, written by the Foreign Office Middle East division on 20 April 2009, says "in order to manage the very real risks posed by Megrahi's declining health, the foreign secretary [David Miliband] agreed our handling strategy... working discreetly, including with the US, to secure agreement by the Scottish executive for Megrahi's transfer to Libya under the PTA [prisoner transfer agreement]".

The Guardian

That need for speed was demonstrated one weekend in 2011 when his predecessor at ANSSI had to take "urgent security measures" at the finance ministry after determined and well-organised hackers succeeded, discreetly, in penetrating the ministry's computer system.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "discreetly" when you want to emphasize that an action is performed in a way that avoids causing embarrassment or attracting too much attention. This is especially useful in formal or sensitive contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "discreetly" when the situation calls for open and transparent communication. Overusing it can make you sound evasive or untrustworthy in situations where honesty and directness are expected.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "discreetly" primarily functions to modify verbs, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig provides examples where it describes settling problems, deploying resources, or conducting meetings with careful consideration and privacy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

20%

Travel

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "discreetly" is a versatile adverb used to describe actions performed with care, caution, and a desire to avoid drawing attention. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to modify verbs, emphasizing the manner in which an action is carried out. The term is most commonly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, maintaining a neutral to professional register. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of "discreetly" in written English, further validating its widespread application. Understanding its nuances helps writers employ it effectively in various communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with discretion

Focuses on the quality of having good judgment and avoiding causing offense or revealing private information.

unobtrusively

Highlights the act of avoiding attention or being noticed.

in a confidential way

Emphasizes the privacy and secrecy of the action, suitable for situations requiring confidentiality.

under the radar

Indicates an attempt to avoid detection or scrutiny.

in a subtle manner

Focuses on the subtlety of the action rather than the privacy or caution involved.

on the quiet

Implies secrecy and a desire to avoid drawing attention.

circumspectly

Suggests a cautious and wary approach, considering all circumstances before acting.

in private

Emphasizes the action being done away from public view or knowledge.

behind the scenes

Suggests actions done without public knowledge or visibility.

quietly

Indicates a lack of noise or disturbance, often implying a subtle or secretive action.

FAQs

How can I use "discreetly" in a sentence?

"Discreetly" is usually employed to describe how an action is performed, indicating it's done in a careful and unobtrusive manner. For example, "She "discreetly" passed the note to her friend during the meeting".

What are some words I can use instead of "discreetly"?

Alternatives to "discreetly" include "subtly", "privately", or "unobtrusively", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone acted "discreetly"?

Yes, it is correct. "Discreetly" is an adverb that modifies the verb, describing how someone acted. It implies they acted with care and prudence to avoid causing offense or attracting undue attention.

What is the difference between "discreet" and "discreetly"?

"Discreet" is an adjective describing someone or something capable of or characterized by tact and good judgment. "Discreetly" is an adverb describing how an action is performed with such tact and judgment. One could be a "discreet person" who acts "discreetly".