not for distribution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not for distribution" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a document or information should not be shared or disseminated to others. Example: "This report is confidential and marked as not for distribution, so please do not share it outside the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The 80-page draft, marked "Confidential -- Not for Distribution Draft Jan . 9 2003," was posted in midafternoon on the Web site of the Center for Public Integrity, www.

The New York Times

The discs, he would learn, were made not for distribution but for the Federal Radio Commission (precursor to the Federal Communications Commission) to use in disputes involving broadcasters.

The New York Times - Arts

Every one of the 112 pages in the booklet is marked "not for distribution or publication" and it is easy to see why.

Independent

In the case of Mr. Bah, records were marked "proprietary information — not for distribution" by the Corrections Corporation of America, a private company that runs the Elizabeth Detention Center and many others under contract with the federal government.

The New York Times

The internal Verizon website, marked "for Verizon Wireless management only, not for distribution to non-supervisory employees", offers leadership training on how to react to any employees who mention or discuss unionizing.

The Guardian - Business

muPDF and Ghostscript software are also distributed as open technology under the GPL, freely available on the net for unsupported use, but not for distribution in proprietary commercial products.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Many of the cultures are not ready for distribution.

The New York Times

The goal is true interactivity, and we rely on FB, not only for distribution, but for content and story ideas.

The Washington Post

The West Virginia authorities say none of this would have been possible if it had not been for distribution companies pouring drugs into the state.

The Guardian

(f) A prescription is not required for distribution or dispensing of the substance pursuant to any other Federal, State or local law.

Cornell University

However, Siprnet is not recommended for distribution of top-secret information.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to clearly and directly signal that a document or information is intended to be kept private or within a limited group. It minimizes misunderstandings about sharing.

Common error

Avoid marking some copies of a document "not for distribution" while leaving others unmarked, as this creates confusion about its intended confidentiality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not for distribution" functions as a restrictive label, indicating that the item it marks—typically a document, file, or piece of information—is intended for a limited audience. As Ludwig AI correctly indicates, it signals that dissemination is prohibited.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

22%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Wiki

8%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not for distribution" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, as Ludwig AI confirms. While not exceedingly common, it serves as a clear indicator that something should not be shared, frequently appearing in news, academic, and scientific contexts. For alternative phrasing, consider "for internal use only" or "confidential" depending on the context. Remember to clearly define access permissions when using this phrase to avoid any potential ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not intended for release

Focuses on the original intent behind the restriction, implying it was never meant to be shared.

for internal use only

Specifies that the material is limited to those within a particular group or organization.

confidential information

Highlights the sensitive nature of the data, warranting restricted access.

proprietary information

Emphasizes that the information is privately owned and protected from unauthorized use.

restricted access only

Clearly states that only authorized individuals are permitted to view or handle the material.

do not disseminate

Provides a direct command against spreading the information further.

embargoed material

Indicates a specific time before which the information should not be released.

off the record

Implies that the information is not to be formally attributed or publicly acknowledged.

not for public consumption

Specifically restricts the information from being shared with the general public.

keep private

Simple and direct instruction to maintain confidentiality.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "not for distribution" in a sentence?

You can use "not for distribution" to label documents or information that should not be shared. For example: "This document is marked "not for distribution" and should only be viewed by authorized personnel."

What's a more formal alternative to "not for distribution"?

A more formal alternative would be "for internal use only" or "confidential", which also indicate that the information is not meant to be shared outside a specific group.

Is it redundant to label something as both "confidential" and "not for distribution"?

While there's some overlap, labeling something as both "confidential" and "not for distribution" can emphasize the importance of keeping the information private and restricted.

What does it mean when a document is stamped with "not for foreign distribution"?

A "not for foreign distribution" stamp, sometimes abbreviated as NOFORN, indicates that the document contains sensitive information that should not be shared with foreign entities or individuals.