proprietary to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proprietary to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is owned by a specific individual or organization and is not available for public use or distribution. Example: "The software is proprietary to our company, meaning it cannot be shared or modified without permission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The results won't be proprietary to Dole.

The New York Times - Magazine

You thought straw polls were proprietary to Iowa?

The New York Times

It may be faster, but it has many limitations and is proprietary to Microsoft programs.

The New York Times - Tech

The Freunds have green dreams far beyond CowPots, though most are too proprietary to divulge.

The New York Times

Rental renewal rates are proprietary to landlords and nearly impossible to track.

The New York Times

They tend to be proprietary to the exchange on which they are traded.

The Economist

Modern hybrids, or so-called "F-1s," are usually proprietary to a seed company.

The New York Times

Government officials declined to make a copy of the contract available, saying it contained information that was "proprietary" to DestinationRx.

The New York Times

The switching center may look for all sorts of factors, most of which are proprietary to the company's software.

The New Yorker

This is an awkward one to recommend because it is proprietary to Amazon, and most files have DRM.

The Guardian - Tech

"He was trying to get Woz to understand that the circuit was proprietary to Apple," Wayne explains.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "proprietary to", ensure it's followed by the specific entity (person, company, etc.) that owns or controls the subject. For example, "The algorithm is proprietary to Google."

Common error

Avoid using "proprietary to" without clearly specifying who owns the thing. Saying something is simply "proprietary" lacks clarity. Instead, be precise: "The formula is proprietary to the manufacturer", not just "The formula is proprietary."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proprietary to" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating ownership or exclusive rights. As Ludwig AI states, it's used to specify that something belongs to a particular entity. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use across various contexts, specifying to whom something is owned or exclusive.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "proprietary to" is a prepositional phrase used to clearly indicate ownership or exclusive rights to something. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct and is frequently found in various contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. To avoid ambiguity, it's essential to follow "proprietary to" with the name of the owner. Alternatives include "owned by" and "exclusive to". When writing, ensure the context makes it clear who the owner is to prevent misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

owned by

Replaces "proprietary to" with a simpler and more direct expression of ownership.

exclusive to

Indicates that something is available only to a specific entity, similar to being proprietary.

the property of

Uses a more formal tone to denote ownership, emphasizing the legal aspect.

belonging to

Indicates that something is owned by or associated with a particular entity.

under the ownership of

Specifies that something is owned by a particular person or entity, adding a layer of formality.

held by

Indicates possession or control, similar to ownership.

in the possession of

Similar to "held by" but more formal.

controlled by

Indicates that a specific entity has control over something, implying a degree of ownership or exclusivity.

reserved for

Implies that something is exclusively intended or available for a specific entity.

the sole right of

Emphasizes that only one party has the right to something, highlighting exclusivity.

FAQs

What does "proprietary to" mean?

The phrase "proprietary to" means something is owned by a particular company or individual, giving them exclusive rights to it. It is similar to saying something is "owned by" or "exclusive to" that entity.

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

You can use "proprietary to" to indicate ownership or exclusive rights. For example, "The software's source code is proprietary to the company."

What are some alternatives to using "proprietary to"?

Alternatives to "proprietary to" include phrases like "owned by", "exclusive to", or "the property of". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something is just "proprietary" without specifying who it's proprietary to?

While grammatically correct, saying something is just "proprietary" lacks clarity. It's best to specify the owner by using the complete phrase "proprietary to" followed by the owner, such as "proprietary to Microsoft".