proprietary information

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proprietary information" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to information that is privately owned or regarded as confidential. For example: "I cannot disclose any of the company's proprietary information to the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Tobias was told that was proprietary information.

The New York Times

"That's proprietary information," a Visa U.S.A. spokeswoman, Rhonda Bentz, said.

The New York Times

For one thing, the Fed has proprietary information about banks.

The New York Times

That was considered proprietary information held by Phoenix Products.

The New York Times

"It'd be inappropriate to discuss proprietary information," a spokesman for Duke, Pete Sheffield, said.

The New York Times

It said it monitored Cafepharma periodically to see if confidential or proprietary information had been posted.

The New York Times

The drug industry regards the details of those arrangements as proprietary information.

The New York Times

He considers them trade secrets, and he tries to protect what he regards as proprietary information.

The New York Times - Sports

A quick check showed that the drive contains a company's proprietary information.

The New York Times - Magazine

What I need you to do is go out and get me edgy, proprietary information".

The New Yorker

"There's nothing in there that appears to be proprietary information," Mr. Fishman continued.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing business strategies or sensitive company data, use "proprietary information" to emphasize its confidential nature and the need for protection.

Common error

Avoid labeling publicly available data as "proprietary information". This term should only be used for data that is not generally accessible and provides a competitive advantage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proprietary information" functions as a noun phrase. According to Ludwig, the expression is considered grammatically correct and widely used in professional writing to refer to confidential or exclusive data that gives a company a competitive advantage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "proprietary information" is a widely used and grammatically sound noun phrase that denotes confidential and privately-owned data, offering a competitive advantage. According to Ludwig, it's primarily used in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "confidential information" and "exclusive information" exist, "proprietary information" specifically highlights the ownership aspect. When using this phrase, ensure you are referring to non-public data to maintain its accurate application. Based on Ludwig AI analysis, its frequent use across various reliable sources underscores its importance in professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confidential data

Highlights the secrecy and sensitivity of the information.

company confidential information

Explicitly mentions that it's the confidential information of the company.

private data

Underscores the restricted access and personal nature of the information.

non-public information

Focuses on the fact that the information is not available to the general public.

exclusive information

Focuses on the aspect of being uniquely available to a specific entity.

sensitive information

Highlights the potential harm that could result from its disclosure.

privileged information

Suggests a legal or ethical obligation to keep the information secret.

insider information

Refers to information known by those within a company or organization.

trade secret

Emphasizes the commercial value and protection of the information.

intellectual property

Focuses on the legal rights associated with creations of the mind.

FAQs

How can I use "proprietary information" in a sentence?

You can use "proprietary information" to refer to confidential company assets, such as "The company protects its proprietary information through strict security measures."

What's the difference between "proprietary information" and "confidential information"?

While both terms relate to sensitive data, "proprietary information" specifically emphasizes ownership and competitive advantage, whereas "confidential information" is a broader term for any data that needs to be kept secret.

What are some examples of "proprietary information"?

"Proprietary information" can include trade secrets, customer lists, marketing strategies, and unpublished research data.

Is it acceptable to share "proprietary information" with third parties?

Typically, "proprietary information" is only shared with third parties under strict non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to protect its confidentiality and ownership.