insider information

USAGE SUMMARY

"insider information" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to private, confidential, or hard-to-obtain information that is usually known only by a few people who are familiar with a particular situation or context. For example, "We were able to access some insider information about the company's upcoming plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And throughout these screeds, Mencken1951 seemed to know insider information.

The New Yorker

Levitt confronted corrupt brokers and analysts who were profiting from insider information.

The New York Times - Books

"So why do so few people act on the insider information they have?

The Guardian - Opinion

Insider information.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"It was insider information".

The New York Times

"He had insider information," Rybolovlev said.

The New Yorker

There was no mention of insider information.

The New York Times

Another impressively detailed compendium of insider information.

The Washington Post

Insider information theft is an integral part of terrorism.

Techno Security's Guide to Securing SCADA A Comprehensive Handbook On Protecting The Critical Infrastructure

Thank you, CNN for your expert insider information there.

The Guardian - Film

Litvinenko was keen to swap insider information on Russian business.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In less formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "inside scoop" or "the inside track" for a more conversational tone.

Common error

Not all "insider information" is illegal to possess or act upon. It only becomes illegal when it's used for trading securities in breach of a fiduciary duty or other relationship of trust and confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insider information" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to denote non-public or confidential details known to a select group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "insider information" is a common noun phrase used to refer to non-public, confidential details, as verified by Ludwig AI. Its usage spans various contexts, from legal and financial discussions to everyday conversations, though its appearance is most frequent in News & Media. While grammatically correct, it's crucial to remember that using "insider information" for activities like insider trading is illegal. Alternatives like "privileged information" or "confidential intelligence" can be used depending on the specific context. When talking about illegal business the phrase should be used with caution and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

privileged information

Focuses on the ethical or legal implications of the information being confidential.

confidential intelligence

Emphasizes the secrecy and potential value of the information.

non-public data

Highlights the data's unavailability to the general public.

proprietary knowledge

Refers to information owned by a specific entity, often a company.

classified intelligence

Indicates information protected by government or organizational security measures.

inside scoop

An informal way of describing secret or exclusive news.

trade secret

Focuses on the information's importance to a business's competitive edge.

non-disclosed information

Highlights the fact that the information has not been revealed.

backstage pass

A more metaphorical and informal way of saying someone has access to exclusive information.

the inside track

Suggests having an advantage due to access to key information.

FAQs

How is "insider information" typically used in a sentence?

"Insider information" is often used to describe knowledge that is not available to the general public, such as "He was accused of trading on "insider information"".

What is the difference between "insider information" and "privileged information"?

"Insider information" generally refers to non-public knowledge about a company or organization, while "privileged information" often relates to legal or ethical confidentiality.

What are some alternative phrases for "insider information"?

Alternatives include "confidential intelligence", "non-public data", or "proprietary knowledge" depending on the context.

In what situations is using "insider information" illegal?

Using "insider information" is illegal when it involves trading stocks or securities based on non-public information that violates a duty of trust or confidence, often referred to as insider trading.