private of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "private of" is not correct and not usable in written English.
It seems to be a misunderstanding of the intended expression, as "private" typically does not pair with "of" in this context. Example: "He felt private about his personal life." (corrected to "He felt private regarding his personal life.")

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He's the most private of public figures.

The New Yorker

That's all in private, of course.

The New York Times

He has been more than the most private of celebrities.

The New York Times - Sports

Reading, once the most private of acts, is going public.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, she is the more private of the two.

The New Yorker

There are arguments for keeping some things private, of course.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rawlins is the most private of private eyes.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

This method uses a trust web-like PGP where each participant creates a pair of keys, public-private, of its property.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The acquisition of Equity Office would eclipse last year's take-private of hospital group HCA as the largest buyout in history.

Forbes

KKR closed out the 1970s completing the public-to-private buyout of Houdaille Industries in 1979, probably the largest take-private of a public company to that point.

Wikipedia

It sets an example for all organisations - both public and private - of the importance of keeping personal information secure.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "private of" in your writing. It is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Instead, opt for alternatives like "personal" or rephrase to use correct prepositions such as "private matters" or "privacy of".

Common error

A common mistake is to assume "private" functions similarly to adjectives that readily pair with "of". "Private" usually describes a state or quality directly, not a condition of something else. Ensure correct prepositional usage by rephrasing to clarify the relationship you intend to express.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "private of" is generally not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It is often intended to express concepts related to ownership, confidentiality, or personal matters, but the structure is flawed. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is incorrect and not usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "private of" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and not suitable for standard English writing. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. While the intention behind its use might vary, aiming to express possession, confidentiality, or personal matters, its flawed structure undermines effective communication. It is advisable to use alternatives such as "privacy of", "personal", or rephrase the sentence for clarity and grammatical accuracy. Given its grammatical issues, this phrase is best avoided in formal writing. Always consider the context and choose grammatically sound alternatives to convey your intended meaning accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

private property

This alternative refers to assets or belongings owned by an individual or entity.

confidential information

This refers to data that should be kept secret and not disclosed.

personal affairs

This term denotes matters that are strictly related to an individual's life and kept away from public knowledge.

exclusive domain

This indicates an area or topic that is controlled or managed by a specific entity.

independent from

This suggests a state of being free from external control or influence.

separate from

This indicates a distinction or detachment from something else.

ownership of

This highlights the legal right to possess something.

control over

This refers to the power or authority to manage or direct something.

devoid of

This means lacking or empty of something.

free from

This signifies being unrestricted or unburdened by something.

FAQs

How to avoid using "private of" in a sentence?

Rephrase your sentence to use alternatives like "personal", or clarify the relationship with correct prepositions such as "private matters" or "privacy of". You might also consider alternatives such as "ownership of" or "independent from" depending on the intended meaning.

What can I say instead of "private of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "personal affairs", "confidential information", or "exclusive domain".

Which is correct, "private of" or "privacy of"?

"Privacy of" is the correct phrase. "Private of" is not grammatically sound. Use "privacy of" when referring to the state of being free from public attention.

Is there a situation where "private of" is acceptable?

The phrase "private of" is generally considered ungrammatical in standard English. It's best to avoid using it and instead opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives.