it was secretive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was secretive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, action, or behavior that is characterized by secrecy or a lack of openness. Example: "The meeting was held in a closed room, and it was secretive, leaving many employees wondering what decisions were being made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The suit was filed by the Straphangers Campaign, an advocacy group for riders, after reports issued last month by both the city and state comptrollers sharply criticized the authority, saying it was secretive and even deceptive about its budget process.

The New York Times

It was secretive.

The Economist

Linden Airport Management Corporation, which runs a municipal airport in New Jersey that is home base for several helicopters that fly around the city, filed suit against the development corporation last month, contending that it was secretive and unfair in awarding the contract to operate the Downtown Manhattan Heliport for 10 years.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But it is secretive about its funding and its donors, raising the prospect that "dark money" may now be shaping not just state and federal races but ones on campus.

The New Yorker

It is secretive about its sources of funding and has been criticised for not openly disclosing financial support from tobacco and alcohol companies when it campaigning against limits on smoking and drinking.

The Guardian

Organised in small cells, it is secretive and seems to concentrate its efforts on distributing leaflets and books.

The Economist

It's secretive.

Independent

It's grubby and it's secretive: it's backstreet politics.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although in some places it is common and even abundant, it is secretive, largely nocturnal, and seldom seen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's also unlikely that it's secretive and steely mom Madeline (Virginia Madsen), but she's definitely hiding some other secrets.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Rebecca Mercuri, a computer scientist and president of the consulting firm Notable Software, who has been studying election systems for 14 years, says the trouble with this system is that it is secretive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was secretive", ensure the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was secretive" repeatedly in a short passage without varying your language. Alternatives like "it was clandestine" or "it was covert" can add nuance and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was secretive" functions as a descriptive statement, attributing the quality of being secretive to a subject. Ludwig confirms this phrase is appropriate and functional in many contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was secretive" is grammatically correct and suitable for describing something characterized by secrecy or a lack of openness. However, Ludwig indicates that its usage is relatively rare. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional writing. As Ludwig confirms the expression usage, it is recommended to ensure the context clearly defines what "it" refers to and to vary your language to avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was clandestine

Emphasizes that something was done secretly, often to conceal an illicit or unauthorized purpose.

it was covert

Highlights that the action or information was hidden or disguised.

it was furtive

Stresses the shifty, sly, and secretive nature of something, often implying guilt or wrongdoing.

it was stealthy

Focuses on the quiet and careful way something was done to avoid detection.

it was surreptitious

Highlights the secret and unauthorized nature of something.

it was under wraps

Indicates that something was kept secret or concealed from public knowledge.

it was hush-hush

Suggests a high level of secrecy and confidentiality.

it was shrouded in secrecy

Implies that something was enveloped or concealed by secrecy, making it difficult to understand or access.

it was not for public consumption

Indicates that something was not intended for the general public to know or see.

it was off the record

Specifies that something was not meant to be officially recorded or made public.

FAQs

What does "it was secretive" mean?

The phrase "it was secretive" means that something was done, kept, or conducted in a way that was intended to be hidden or not generally known. It implies a lack of openness and transparency.

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

You can use alternatives like "it was clandestine", "it was covert", or "it was confidential" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was secretive" formal or informal?

"It was secretive" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, more precise alternatives like "it was confidential" or "it was classified" might be more appropriate.

How can I use "it was secretive" in a sentence?

You can use "it was secretive" to describe anything from a meeting to an organization. For example: "The meeting was held in a closed room, and "it was secretive", leaving many employees wondering what decisions were being made." You can also say: "The organization had the reputation to be "it was secretive" and unfair in awarding the contract".