it was covert

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was covert" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that was done in secret or not openly acknowledged. Example: "The operation was successful because it was covert, allowing the team to gather intelligence without being detected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"It was covert, but it was also social," he says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It was covert for a good chunk of the time he spent working on it," Ray Hulser, a supervisor in the Public Integrity Section, told me.

The New Yorker

It was covert and often used extralegal means to criminalize various forms of political struggle and derail several social movements, such as those for civil rights and Puerto Rican independence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was covert.

Huffington Post

An offer by Andros to send New York troops into Massachusetts to attack Philip was rebuffed, based on the idea that it was covert ploy to again assert authority to the Connecticut River.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It's covert, like Claudius.

The New Yorker

It's covert now".

The Guardian - Film

It is covert speech.

The New York Times

As one respondent put it: "I do think it's covert, except it's also very obvious.

The Guardian

McCloud said: "We even actually wrote an entire programme around the drinking, and it's covert so one of the programmes is deliberately designed to get people as drunk as possible.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"So appropriate discretion is engaged in for that reason but not because it's covert, not because it's an intelligence programme, because it is neither covert nor an intelligence programme".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms such as "it was secret" or "it was clandestine" if a more specific nuance is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "it was covert" when the action or event was simply private or confidential within a small group, rather than deliberately hidden from a wider audience. Covertness implies an intent to conceal from those who would normally expect to be informed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was covert" functions as a declarative statement, asserting that a particular action, plan, or event was carried out in a secret or concealed manner. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI, and examples show its use in news and historical contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was covert" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to describe something done secretly or concealed. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its usage is most prevalent in news and historical contexts. Though synonyms like "it was secret" or "it was clandestine" can provide nuance, ensuring clarity about what "it" refers to is key. While the phrase is neutral in tone, being mindful of the scope of covertness avoids misapplication. The examples illustrate its use in diverse scenarios, solidifying its validity in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was clandestine

Emphasizes the secret and often illicit nature of the action or event.

it was secret

A more general term indicating that something was not publicly known.

it was under wraps

Suggests that something was kept hidden or confidential until a specific time.

it was surreptitious

Describes something done secretly and stealthily to avoid detection.

it was hidden

A simple way of stating that something was not visible or apparent.

it was hushed up

Implies an active effort to suppress information or prevent it from becoming public.

it was undisclosed

Highlights the fact that something was not revealed or made known.

it was unacknowledged

Indicates that something existed or occurred but was not officially recognized.

it was behind the scenes

Highlights that it was done privately, not in public.

it was off the record

Implies that the information or action was not meant for public consumption or official documentation.

FAQs

What does "it was covert" mean?

"It was covert" means that something was done secretly, hidden, or not openly acknowledged. It implies an intention to conceal the action or information from those who would normally be aware of it.

What can I say instead of "it was covert"?

You can use alternatives like "it was secret", "it was clandestine", or "it was hidden" depending on the context.

How to use "it was covert" in a sentence?

You can use "it was covert" to describe an action, operation, or plan that was carried out secretly. For example: "The operation was successful because "it was covert"."

Is "it was covert" formal or informal?

"It was covert" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the subject matter.