firsthand intelligence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "firsthand intelligence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to information or knowledge that is obtained directly from a source or personal experience, rather than through secondhand accounts. Example: "The journalist relied on firsthand intelligence gathered from interviews with local witnesses to report on the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The Administration could offer little or no recent firsthand intelligence to contradict the I.A.E.A.'s 1997 conclusions.

The New Yorker

In 1518, al-Hasan al-Wazzan, a diplomat of the Sultan of Fez, was kidnapped in the Mediterranean by pirates, who brought him to Pope Leo X. Al-Wazzan had travelled extensively in Africa, and was able to provide firsthand intelligence on the geography and politics of the infidel region.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The book concludes with 15 of her letters, written between 1885 and 1903 to a close friend in Paris, enabling us to gauge firsthand her intelligence, compassion and mounting resentment.

The New York Times - Books

Though many experts agree that Al Qaeda may still have access to large sums of money, they also questioned the United Nations staff's ability to have firsthand knowledge of the intelligence operations of different governments.

The New York Times

"Over several decades in uniform, he learned firsthand the necessity of good intelligence for our men and women in uniform".

The Guardian

But as I got to know him better, I got to experience firsthand his wit and his intelligence — he's like an encyclopedia.

Huffington Post

It's Dickey and Wakefield, two men of upstanding character and intelligence, who know firsthand what it's like to fail.

Huffington Post

"Pompeo can't trust the CIA bureaucracy, so we need to create this thing that reports just directly to him," a former senior U.S. intelligence official with firsthand knowledge of the proposals told the website.

Vice

But his firsthand account, which conforms with Western intelligence analysis, provides one of few portraits of Mr. bin Laden's evolution as a militant leader.

The New York Times

But with the declassification of previously secret memos, it became clear that every example given of claimed successes was factually incorrect — and I know this from firsthand experience of how those pieces of intelligence were really gained.

The New Yorker

It is sometimes unclear whether a particular incident report is based on firsthand observation, on the account of an intelligence source regarded as reliable, on less trustworthy sources or on speculation by the writer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "firsthand intelligence" to emphasize the reliability and validity of information stemming from direct experience or observation.

Common error

Avoid using "firsthand intelligence" when the information is actually based on reports or interpretations from others, even if they claim to have direct knowledge. The key is that you or the source you're directly citing obtained the intelligence firsthand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "firsthand intelligence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It describes the type of information or insight obtained directly from an original source. As Ludwig AI suggests, this means intelligence that is based on direct experience, not on second-hand accounts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "firsthand intelligence" denotes information or insight gained directly from a source or personal experience. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct, although rare in usage. It is primarily found in News & Media contexts, emphasizing the directness and reliability of the source. While alternatives like "direct information" or "primary intelligence" exist, "firsthand intelligence" highlights the experiential aspect. When using the phrase, ensure that the information truly originates from a direct source to avoid misinterpretations regarding its scope.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

direct information

Focuses on the immediacy of the information received, omitting the 'intelligence' aspect of analysis or insight.

primary intelligence

Emphasizes the intelligence being original, raw, and uninterpreted.

original insight

Highlights the novelty and personal nature of the understanding gained.

personal account

Focuses on individual perspective and experience as the source of knowledge.

eyewitness testimony

Implies information gathered through direct observation of events.

direct observation

Emphasizes the act of seeing or experiencing something directly.

experiential knowledge

Highlights knowledge gained through practical involvement and experience.

first-person knowledge

Highlights knowledge gained through personal experience.

hands-on understanding

Underscores a practical, active way of acquiring comprehension.

lived experience

Highlights knowledge derived from encountering and navigating real-life situations.

FAQs

How can "firsthand intelligence" be used in a sentence?

"Firsthand intelligence" is used to emphasize that the information comes directly from a source or personal experience. For example, "The journalist relied on firsthand intelligence gathered from interviews with local witnesses."

What phrases are similar to "firsthand intelligence"?

Alternatives include "direct information", "primary intelligence", or "personal account", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "firsthand intelligence" or "direct intelligence"?

"Firsthand intelligence" specifically implies personal experience or direct sourcing, while "direct intelligence" might simply mean intelligence that hasn't been filtered or analyzed by intermediaries. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the experiential aspect.

What does "firsthand intelligence" mean in the context of espionage?

In espionage, "firsthand intelligence" would refer to information gathered directly by an operative or informant on the ground, rather than relying on intercepted communications or second-hand reports.