private indulgences

USAGE SUMMARY

"private indulgences" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to personal pleasures or activities that one engages in for enjoyment or relaxation, often in a discreet or personal context. For example: "She often retreats to her garden for her private indulgences, finding peace among the flowers." Alternative expressions include "personal pleasures," "individual pastimes," and "private pleasures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Trump is not a man who has a philosophical problem with private indulgences, or with financial self-dealing.

The New Yorker

The more publicly flamboyant of the two designers, Lagerfeld was far less adventurous when it came to private indulgences.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

To do so is not merely a matter of desire, of professional obligation or private indulgence.

The New York Times - Travel

The photographs may have been a private indulgence, but they have a public, even ceremonial presence.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet this overpowering visage, clearly made for tyranny, displayed instead a gentle reticence, a beatific air of restraint that was clearly a choice, even a private indulgence.

The New Yorker

23) Francine Prose refers to a range of motivators as reasons why people triumph over flight-related anxiety, including desire, professional obligation and private indulgence and now, since Sept. 11, moral obligation.

The New York Times - Travel

The first heated pool in America was not a tycoon's private indulgence but rather a public spa: the Victoria Pool, built by New York State in 1935 at Saratoga Springs.

The New York Times

Koolhaas seems to have envisioned the Prada store overflowing with crowds, but the reality is that almost everything he designed looks better when the place is nearly empty and you can see it not as public space but, like so much architecture today, as a private indulgence.

The New Yorker

Also, in '59 Arthur Schlesinger was writing about the shape of national politics to come and we distributed a pamphlet by him, which I give you, and another pamphlet called "The Big Decision: Private Indulgence or National Power," which was published in '60, and which we published and distributed.

Columbia University

He's keeping it in his back pocket to be restored with minimum compromises and just the right furniture from 1888 because every craftsman deserves a private self-indulgence..

Los Angeles Times

Those are our secret indulgences.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone's "private indulgences", consider the context. Is it meant to be lighthearted, critical, or neutral? The tone should reflect this.

Common error

Avoid using "private indulgences" to describe activities that are clearly public or shared. The term implies a personal, often secretive, element.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "private indulgences" functions as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI considers this a correct and usable phrase in written English. It typically acts as the object of a sentence or clause, denoting personal pleasures or activities enjoyed in a discreet manner.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "private indulgences" is a grammatically correct noun phrase that refers to personal pleasures or activities enjoyed discreetly. As stated by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. While the phrase is not exceedingly common, Ludwig examples show it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. When using this phrase, consider the desired tone (lighthearted, critical, or neutral) and avoid applying it to activities that are overtly public. Alternatives include "personal luxuries" or "secret pleasures", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

personal luxuries

Replaces "indulgences" with "luxuries", emphasizing the costly or extravagant nature of the pleasures.

secret pleasures

Substitutes "private" with "secret", highlighting the hidden or discreet aspect of the enjoyments.

guilty pleasures

Implies a sense of shame or wrongdoing associated with the enjoyments.

personal vices

Replaces "indulgences" with "vices", suggesting a more harmful or morally questionable aspect.

individual treats

Substitutes "indulgences" with "treats", emphasizing the enjoyable and rewarding aspect.

personal weaknesses

Replaces "indulgences" with "weaknesses", focusing on the lack of self-control.

private comforts

Replaces "indulgences" with "comforts", highlighting the relaxing and soothing aspect.

hidden cravings

Highlights the intense desire for something, kept hidden from others.

personal whims

Emphasizes the impulsive and whimsical nature of the enjoyments.

individual passions

Highlights the strong enthusiasm or desire for something.

FAQs

How can "private indulgences" be used in a sentence?

You can use "private indulgences" to describe personal habits or hobbies that someone enjoys in their own time, such as "reading is one of her "private indulgences"".

What are some alternatives to saying "private indulgences"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "personal luxuries", "secret pleasures", or "guilty pleasures".

Is it appropriate to use "private indulgences" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "private indulgences" might be more suited for informal or descriptive writing. In formal contexts, consider more neutral terms like "personal interests".

What is the difference between "private indulgences" and "public hobbies"?

"Private indulgences" imply a level of secrecy and personal enjoyment, while "public hobbies" are activities that someone openly engages in and shares with others.