in secrecy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in secrecy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to actions or events that are conducted in a hidden or confidential manner. Example: "The negotiations were held in secrecy to prevent any leaks to the media."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Partners in secrecy.

The New York Times - Arts

Raise it in secrecy?

The New Yorker

Its activities are shrouded in secrecy.

The Economist

Its practitioners have to operate in secrecy.

The Economist

It is involuntary and shrouded in secrecy.

The Economist

Things are kept in secrecy.

The New York Times

These preparations were conducted in secrecy.

The New York Times - Magazine

The build-up was shrouded in secrecy.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We got wrapped up in secrecy.

The Guardian

The magazine has been shrouded in secrecy.

The Guardian

These investigations have been shrouded in secrecy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in secrecy", ensure the context clearly indicates who is keeping something secret and why. For example, "The negotiations were conducted in secrecy to avoid interference from outside parties."

Common error

Avoid using "in secrecy" when the context implies privacy or confidentiality is sufficient. Secrecy suggests a higher degree of concealment and is more appropriate when there's a deliberate attempt to hide information from specific parties.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in secrecy" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe how an action is performed. It adds information about the manner of the action, indicating it is done hiddenly or confidentially, which is supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Academic

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in secrecy" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe actions performed with concealment or confidentiality. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. It typically functions to emphasize that an action is deliberately hidden and is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news and media. Alternatives include "covertly" and "surreptitiously", each offering a slightly different nuance. When using "in secrecy", ensure the context warrants a high degree of concealment, distinguishing it from mere privacy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

covertly

Emphasizes the hidden nature of the action, often implying a need to avoid detection.

surreptitiously

Highlights the stealthy and secretive manner in which something is done.

clandestinely

Implies an activity is conducted in a concealed and often illicit way.

under wraps

Suggests that information is being kept secret or confidential for a specific reason.

confidentially

Focuses on the private and secure handling of information.

in private

Highlights that something is done away from public view or knowledge.

behind closed doors

Implies that a meeting or discussion is held in secret, away from public scrutiny.

on the quiet

Suggests that something is done discreetly, without drawing attention to it.

in strict confidence

Emphasizes the importance of maintaining absolute secrecy and discretion.

under the radar

Indicates that an action or event is designed to avoid notice or attention.

FAQs

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

The phrase "in secrecy" is typically used to describe actions or events that are conducted privately and without public knowledge. For example, "The deal was negotiated "in secrecy" to prevent speculation."

What are some alternatives to "in secrecy"?

Alternatives to "in secrecy" include "covertly", "surreptitiously", or "clandestinely", each emphasizing different aspects of concealment.

When is it appropriate to use "in secrecy" instead of "in private"?

"In secrecy" implies a deliberate effort to conceal information, whereas "in private" simply means away from public view. Use "in secrecy" when the intention is to hide something, not just to keep it out of the public eye. For example: "The documents were reviewed "in private"" vs "The plot was hatched "in secrecy"".

Is "in secrecy" formal or informal language?

The phrase "in secrecy" is generally considered neutral to formal. While understandable in most contexts, more formal alternatives like "confidentially" or "under wraps" may be more appropriate in professional or academic writing.