internal

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'internal' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something happening or existing within a particular organization, company, or group. For example, "The company put a new policy in place to address any internal disputes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pura Aventura has an 11-day trip to Parque Patagonia and Mallin Colorado from £2,552pp, including internal flights from the Chilean capital Santiago, but not international ones.

The Guardian - Travel

Speaking after the ballot on Wednesday night, a composed Gillard said she was proud of her achievements in what "has not been an easy environment to work in" because of the minority parliament, the internal Labor divisions and the Coalition's fierce anti-carbon tax campaign.

The Guardian

The intervening hours were filled with internal feuding and bloodletting, played out in public and in real time, like a cross between The Thick of It and 24.

The Guardian - Opinion

Since the two sides sat down to negotiate an end to Colombia's 50-year-old internal conflict, the negotiators have achieved more progress than any previous effort to broker peace.

The Guardian

It would appear that the paper picked up the Mail Online story and, against normal internal rules, did not attribute it to Mail Online.

The Guardian

Any one template has internal logic which changes the layout subtly according to where a production staffer marks a break or places an image or video.

The Guardian

They were shown other internal emails in which he requested payments: " It seems to me he has all this glory and u guys get his support in other things.

The Guardian - Business

Clinton's campaign has, on numerous occasions, dismissed speculation over the nonprofit's internal dealings as conservative propaganda.

The Guardian

A GuardianNews and Mediaia does operate a charitable giving system for its employees and it also provides an internal match funding initiative for all charitable sponsorship raised by GNM employees.

The Guardian

Both polls took place as Labour's Scottish leader Johann Lamont resigned after a bitter internal feud.

The Guardian

According to an internal email, readers will hit a sign-up message on some stories on their first click on the website – usually readers get five free stories a day before they hit a locked one.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "internal" to specify that something is happening within a system, body, or organization, contrasting it with external influences or elements.

Common error

Avoid using "internal" when you mean "intrinsic". "Internal" refers to something within a specific boundary or organization, while "intrinsic" describes an inherent quality or characteristic.

Linguistic Context

The word "internal" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something exists or occurs within a specific boundary, system, or organization. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage, as demonstrated across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "internal" functions as an adjective denoting something existing or occurring within a defined boundary. Ludwig AI supports this with numerous examples across various sources. It's grammatically correct and frequently used in neutral to professional contexts, primarily within news, business, and scientific domains. Common errors include confusing it with "intrinsic". Related terms like "inner", "domestic", and "in-house" can serve as alternatives depending on the context. The word sees high usage across authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inner

Focuses more on the physical or emotional inside.

inside

Indicates location within something.

domestic

Relates to matters within a country.

in-house

Refers to something done within a company or organization.

confidential

Highlights the private nature of information.

private

Emphasizes the non-public aspect.

intrinsic

Describes something that is inherent or essential.

endogenous

Refers to something originating from within.

inherent

Stresses the quality of being a natural part of something.

inward

Points to the direction or focus towards the inside.

FAQs

How can I use "internal" in a sentence?

You can use "internal" to describe something that exists or happens within a specific entity. For example, "The company conducted an internal investigation."

What are some alternatives to "internal"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "inner", "domestic", or "in-house".

When should I use "internal" vs. "external"?

"Internal" is used to describe what's inside or within, while "external" refers to what's outside. For example, "internal affairs" vs. "external relations."

Is "internal" the same as "intrinsic"?

No, "internal" refers to something within a boundary, while "intrinsic" describes an inherent quality. It's important to distinguish the usage.