secretly working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secretly working" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is engaged in a task or activity without others knowing about it. Example: "She was secretly working on a surprise party for his birthday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The 10 spies included many who had been secretly working for years in the United States.

The New York Times

Clarke had been secretly working on a new find: Australopithecus foot bones from Sterkfontein.

The New Yorker

U.S. intelligence also disclosed that North Korea was secretly working on uranium enrichment.

The New Yorker

(Bonus sobbing cue: Nobody knew that Mom was secretly working at an orphanage in her spare time).

The New York Times - Books

Reed's involved secretly working with the disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff to block a ban on Internet gambling.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department on Wednesday accused a Syrian-American man of secretly working for a Syrian intelligence service.

The New York Times

The council member was secretly working with federal investigators and recorded many of the conversations, investigators said.

The New York Times

In either case, they are people who live and move among us every day, secretly working in their basements or garages devising bombs or more dangerous weapons.

The New York Times

The United States, the European Union and Israel have accused Iran of secretly working on the capacity to build nuclear weapons.

The New York Times

Rabbi Balkany was arrested in February, hours after he tried to deposit two checks from the hedge fund, which had been secretly working with the authorities.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Gundotra, while now believed to be heading up the social stuff Google is not-so-secretly working on, is also very familiar with Android.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "secretly working", ensure the context clarifies the reason for secrecy. Is it for a surprise, a covert operation, or something else? Clarity enhances understanding.

Common error

Be mindful that "secretly working" can sometimes imply negative connotations, such as deception or conspiracy. Choose this phrase carefully if the intention is merely to convey privacy or surprise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secretly working" functions as a present participle phrase, often used as part of a continuous verb tense or as an adjective modifying a noun. It describes an action being performed in a concealed manner. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

18%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "secretly working" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe activities conducted in a hidden or clandestine manner. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is correct and usable in written English. The frequency of the phrase is very common, most notably in News & Media, Wiki, and Encyclopedias. While generally neutral, it's important to be mindful of the potential negative connotations associated with secrecy. Alternatives such as "covertly operating" or "working undercover" can be used to nuanced the expression based on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

covertly operating

This alternative suggests a more strategic and planned approach to working secretly.

working undercover

This alternative emphasizes the act of concealing one's true identity while working.

clandestinely employed

This alternative highlights the secret nature of being employed or engaged in a task.

surreptitiously toiling

This alternative adds a sense of quiet diligence and effort in the secret work.

furtively functioning

This alternative implies a cautious and evasive way of secretly carrying out tasks.

privately engaged

This alternative focuses on the private nature of the work being done, though not necessarily implying malicious intent.

discreetly laboring

This alternative emphasizes the careful and unobtrusive manner of working.

working behind the scenes

This alternative focuses on influencing events without being openly involved.

operating in the shadows

This alternative vividly describes working in secrecy, often implying dubious activities.

secretly collaborating

This alternative specifies that the secret work involves cooperation with others.

FAQs

How can I use "secretly working" in a sentence?

You can use "secretly working" to describe someone engaged in an activity without others' knowledge. For example, "She was secretly working on a project to surprise her team."

What are some alternatives to "secretly working"?

Alternatives include "covertly operating", "working undercover", or "working behind the scenes", depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "secretly working", or does it always imply something negative?

While "secretly working" can sometimes suggest deception, it's not inherently negative. The context usually determines the connotation. If the secrecy is for a positive reason, like planning a surprise, the phrase is perfectly acceptable.

What's the difference between "secretly working" and "privately working"?

"Secretly working" emphasizes the hidden nature of the work, while "privately working" simply means the work is done without public knowledge. Secrecy often implies a specific reason for concealment, while privacy might just be a matter of preference.