private session

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "private session" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a meeting or gathering that is not open to the public, often for confidential discussions or activities. Example: "The therapist scheduled a private session to discuss the client's progress in a safe and confidential environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Private session".

The Guardian

Wagner requested the private session.

The New York Times - Sports

He charges $6,000 for a half-day private session.

The New York Times

Mr Blair will appear in public in the new year, followed by a private session.

Independent

His assistant requested that he receive a private session, which he attended on Sept. 13.

The New York Times

The psychologist, Jeffrey Miner, cited non sequiturs that Mr. Chappell had spouted in a private session.

The New York Times

Health Secretary Alan Milburn had sought a private session, saying it would be quicker.

The New York Times

A White House official said he would not disclose details of a private session.

The New York Times

Representatives of the two sides did meet and had another private session yesterday.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Rice has submitted to several hours of questioning at a private session.

The New York Times

It is obvious that such matters can only be dealt with in private session.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "private session" when you want to emphasize the exclusivity and confidentiality of a meeting or interaction. This is particularly useful in contexts such as therapy, coaching, or sensitive business discussions.

Common error

Be careful not to use "private session" interchangeably with terms like "secret meeting" or "closed-door meeting" if the intent is not to imply secrecy or potential controversy. Ensure the term accurately reflects the nature of the interaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "private session" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig shows it's used to describe a meeting, consultation, or lesson that is not open to the general public, emphasizing its exclusive nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "private session" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a meeting, consultation, or lesson that is not open to the public. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific publications. The phrase conveys exclusivity and confidentiality, making it suitable for describing therapy sessions, coaching engagements, or sensitive business discussions. Ludwig AI confirms the term's correct usage, and alternative phrases like "exclusive meeting" or "confidential discussion" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exclusive meeting

Focuses on the exclusivity and limited access of the meeting.

confidential discussion

Focuses on the private and sensitive nature of the conversation.

closed-door meeting

Emphasizes the confidentiality and secrecy of the meeting.

one-on-one meeting

Highlights the individual and personalized nature of the meeting.

private consultation

Highlights the individual and personalized aspect of the advice given.

personal consultation

Emphasizes the advisory and personalized aspect of the interaction.

private hearing

Implies a more formal setting than a simple meeting, such as a legal context.

secret session

Emphasizes secrecy but may imply a potentially illicit or controversial nature.

private lesson

Indicates individual instruction, often in a skill or subject.

individual tutorial

Focuses on educational context.

FAQs

How is a "private session" different from a public meeting?

A "private session" is not open to the public and usually involves confidential discussions or activities, unlike a public meeting which is accessible to everyone.

What can I say instead of "private session"?

You can use alternatives like "exclusive meeting", "confidential discussion", or "one-on-one meeting" depending on the context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the term "private session"?

It's appropriate to use "private session" in contexts such as therapy, coaching, business meetings, or any situation where confidentiality is required or implied.

Is "private session" the same as "closed session"?

While similar, "closed session" often implies a more formal setting like a governmental or organizational meeting where the public is excluded, while "private session" can be more general.