secret from

USAGE SUMMARY

"secret from" is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is hidden or kept away from someone. For example, "She kept her past a secret from her family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She kept these secret from him.

The New Yorker

Why do you keep them a secret from the viewers?

The New Yorker

He kept his plan a secret from DeVecchio.

The New Yorker

Zucker kept his courtship a secret from Curry.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'd kept this undertow a secret from him.

The New Yorker

But Pastor Foster was keeping a secret from her congregation.

The New York Times

Mary's voice dawdled, keeping her secret from me.

The Guardian - Books

We shouldn't keep our moral choices secret from ourselves.

The New Yorker

It disturbs me to keep this secret from my friend.

The New York Times - Magazine

But we have known this secret from the very beginning.

The Guardian - Books

P17 MasterChef winner kept her cancer a secret from judges.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "secret from", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is being kept secret and from whom. For example, instead of saying 'It was secret', specify 'The plan was secret from his colleagues'.

Common error

Avoid ambiguous constructions where it's unclear what the "secret from" refers to. Instead of 'He kept it secret', specify 'He kept the reason secret from everyone'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secret from" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating that something is being concealed. As Ludwig states, it conveys that something is hidden or kept away from someone. Examples in Ludwig show its use in diverse contexts, from concealing plans to hiding personal information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "secret from" is a very common and grammatically sound way to indicate that something is being intentionally kept hidden. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to convey confidentiality or the act of withholding information. Analysis of the examples reveals its frequent usage in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. While versatile, it's important to use "secret from" in contexts where intentional concealment is implied, rather than simple lack of knowledge. Consider alternatives like "hidden from" or "concealed from" for slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hidden from

This alternative focuses on the state of being concealed, rather than the act of keeping something concealed.

concealed from

This alternative emphasizes the act of deliberately hiding something.

withheld from

This alternative suggests that information or something else is intentionally not given to someone.

not disclosed to

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the lack of revelation.

kept under wraps from

This alternative uses a more figurative expression, implying a deliberate effort to maintain secrecy.

unrevealed to

This suggests that information or something has not been shown or made known to someone.

unbeknownst to

This alternative indicates that something is happening without someone's knowledge.

private from

Focuses on the concept of something being exclusive to a particular person or group.

classified from

Used when information is officially designated as secret and inaccessible to unauthorized individuals.

off the record with

The information is provided informally, with the understanding that it will not be officially disclosed or attributed.

FAQs

How is "secret from" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "secret from" is generally used to indicate that something is being intentionally concealed from someone. For example, "She kept the truth "secret from" her parents."

What phrases can I use as alternatives to "secret from"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "hidden from", "concealed from", or "withheld from".

Is it more formal to say "secret from" or "hidden from"?

"Hidden from" is generally considered more neutral, while "secret from" can sometimes imply a deliberate act of concealment. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Can "secret from" be used in all contexts, or are there limitations?

While generally versatile, "secret from" is most appropriate when something is intentionally kept unknown. In situations where something is simply not known, phrases like "unbeknownst to" might be more suitable.