in confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"in confidence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that the information being shared is private and should not be discussed or shared with anyone else. Example: "I'm telling you this in confidence, so please don't share it with anyone else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Rooney seriously lacking in confidence.

BBC

I grew in confidence.

Harvard University

Not in confidence.

The New York Times

This will be treated in confidence".

Independent

How skewed is this difference in confidence?

The New York Times

'We are lacking in confidence.

The Guardian - Sport

Celtic slowly grew in confidence.

The Guardian - Sport

"And it remained in confidence.

The Guardian

He might need a boost in confidence".

The Guardian

And he was growing in confidence.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The government has said these documents are commercial-in-confidence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When sharing sensitive information, explicitly state "in confidence" to ensure the recipient understands the need for discretion. This sets clear expectations and helps maintain trust.

Common error

Don't assume that a conversation is automatically "in confidence" without explicitly stating it. Even among trusted individuals, clearly indicating the need for privacy prevents misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in confidence" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which something is communicated. It emphasizes the expectation of privacy and discretion when sharing information. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in confidence" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, albeit relatively rare in occurrence, according to Ludwig. It serves as an adverbial phrase to indicate that information is shared privately and with the expectation of discretion. Predominantly found in news and academic contexts, it communicates a need for privacy and builds trust. Alternatives include "confidentially" and "privately", though the best choice depends on context. When using "in confidence", ensure you explicitly state it to avoid ambiguity. Ludwig AI affirms the phrase's validity and provides various examples for usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in strict confidence

Adds emphasis to the confidential nature of the information.

confidentially

This adverb directly replaces the phrase, focusing on the manner of communication.

privately

Highlights the personal and non-public nature of the shared information.

off the record

Specifies that the information is not for public dissemination or official recording.

between you and me

An idiomatic expression indicating a shared secret between two people.

in secrecy

Emphasizes the concealed nature of the information or action.

under the rose

A less common, more figurative way of saying something is to be kept secret.

as a secret

Directly states the expectation of confidentiality.

not to be disclosed

Formal way to specify the confidential nature and that information is not to be disclosed.

between these walls

A more figurative way of limiting the information to the location of where it was said.

FAQs

How can I use "in confidence" in a sentence?

You can use "in confidence" to indicate that you are sharing something private, such as, "I'm telling you this "in confidence", please don't tell anyone else".

What does "in confidence" mean?

"In confidence" means that something is said or done privately and should not be shared with others. It implies trust and discretion.

What can I say instead of "in confidence"?

Alternatives to "in confidence" include "confidentially", "privately", or "off the record". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "I told you in confidence" or "I told it to you in confidence"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "I told you "in confidence"" is more common and natural. Adding "it to you" is unnecessary.