in secret

USAGE SUMMARY

"in secret" is correct and can be used in written English.
It implies that something is being done in a clandestine or surreptitious way, away from the knowledge of others. For example: "The couple exchanged vows in secret at a small ceremony."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Today, the phrase means simply "in secret".

The New Yorker

In the latter case, girls reported leaving school "in secret".

BMC International Health and Human Rights

In secret".

Independent

Or mostly in secret.

The New York Times

He married her in secret.

Independent

She is heroic, in secret.

Independent

They ate chocolate in secret.

The New York Times

The C.I.A. tortured detainees in secret prisons.

The New Yorker

I had to apply in secret".

The New York Times

He used to watch games in secret.

The New Yorker

I will pay the fine in secret.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in secret", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is being kept secret and why this secrecy is important to the narrative or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "in secret" when the context implies general privacy rather than deliberate concealment. For example, prefer "in private" if you simply mean not in public, rather than implying something is intentionally hidden.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in secret" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate that an action is performed or information is conveyed clandestinely. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its consistent use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

6%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in secret" is a grammatically sound and very common adverbial phrase used to indicate that an action is performed or information is kept hidden. As per Ludwig AI, its use is correct in written English and effectively conveys concealment. Predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While alternatives like "covertly" or "surreptitiously" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use "in secret" when you want to highlight that an action or information is intentionally hidden, distinguishing it from general privacy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secretly

A direct synonym emphasizing the hidden nature of the action or information.

in private

Simply means not in a public setting, maintaining confidentiality.

covertly

Emphasizes the manner of the action being done secretly.

surreptitiously

Highlights the stealthy and secretive nature of the action.

confidentially

Focuses on the trust and assurance of secrecy.

clandestinely

Similar to covertly, but often implies an illegal or forbidden activity.

undercover

Suggests an operation or activity carried out secretly, often involving disguise or hidden identity.

behind closed doors

Implies discussions or decisions made privately and not publicly accessible.

on the sly

An informal way to say something is done secretly, often to avoid detection.

off the record

Information shared confidentially, not meant for public dissemination.

FAQs

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

Use "in secret" to describe actions or information kept hidden or private. For instance, "They planned the surprise party "in secret" to ensure the birthday person wouldn't find out".

What are some alternatives to "in secret"?

Alternatives include "covertly", "surreptitiously", "clandestinely", or "confidentially", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "in secret" and "privately"?

"In secret" emphasizes concealment and hidden actions, while "privately" simply indicates something is done away from public view, without necessarily implying an attempt to hide it. Something done "privately" is not necessarily a secret.

Is it ever better to use "secretly" instead of "in secret"?

While both are similar, "secretly" is an adverb that modifies a verb directly, whereas "in secret" functions as an adverbial phrase. Use "secretly" when you want to emphasize the manner of the action. For example, "he "secretly" admired her" versus "he admired her "in secret"".