in private

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in private" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase usually indicates that something is happening (or has happened) away from the public view or notice. For example: The two colleagues talked about the issue in private.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do anything you need to in private.

WikiHow

In private.

The New York Times

In private, many did.

Independent

In private, maybe.

The New York Times - Arts

I'd add in private investment.

The New York Times

It remains in private hands.

The Economist

Umenyiora often works in private.

The New York Times - Sports

Both are in private practice.

The New York Times

He works in private equity.

The New Yorker

In private, they pinch pennies.

The Economist

In private, however, many liberals have reservations.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in private" to clearly indicate that an action, conversation, or event should not be witnessed or heard by others. This adds a layer of confidentiality and discretion to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "in private" when the context merely implies personal space, but not necessarily secrecy. For instance, saying "He was thinking in private" is vague; specify what he was thinking about if the content is confidential or rephrase the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in private" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify that an action occurs away from public view. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. This can be seen in examples like "Umenyiora often works in private."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

15%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in private" is a common and grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to denote confidentiality or secrecy. As Ludwig AI points out, it's correct and frequently employed across numerous contexts. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Wiki" sources, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. For situations requiring similar expressions, alternatives such as "privately", "in secret", and "behind closed doors" offer nuanced ways to convey the same meaning. Using "in private" effectively ensures clarity, emphasizing that certain actions or discussions are intended to remain undisclosed to the public.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

privately

This alternative is a single-word adverb conveying the same meaning of doing something away from public view.

in secret

This alternative highlights the hidden or concealed nature of the action.

confidentially

This alternative emphasizes the aspect of keeping something a secret or not sharing it with others.

behind closed doors

This alternative suggests a meeting or discussion held in a secluded or confidential setting.

in a secluded place

This alternative focuses on the physical aspect of being away from others.

away from the public eye

This alternative emphasizes avoiding public attention or scrutiny.

off the record

This alternative means that something is not officially recorded or made public.

under the radar

This alternative means something is done without attracting attention or notice.

between ourselves

This alternative emphasizes that the information should be kept only between the people involved.

in camera

This alternative, borrowed from legal terminology, refers to proceedings held in a judge's private chambers or when spectators have been excluded from the courtroom.

FAQs

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

You can use "in private" to indicate that an action, conversation, or event takes place away from public view or knowledge. For instance, "They discussed the matter "in private"" means their discussion was confidential.

What are some alternatives to saying "in private"?

Some alternatives include "privately", "in secret", "confidentially", or "behind closed doors". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "in private" or "privately"?

Both "in private" and "privately" are correct, but "in private" is a prepositional phrase while "privately" is an adverb. The choice depends on sentence structure. For example, "They spoke privately" or "They spoke in private" are both grammatically sound and semantically close.

What does "in private practice" mean?

"In private practice" refers to a professional, such as a doctor or lawyer, who works independently rather than being employed by a larger organization. It signifies that they operate their own business and serve clients directly.