undercover agent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undercover agent" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a person who acts as a secret agent to gather information or gather evidence in a covert manner. Example: The undercover agent successfully infiltrated the drug cartel and provided crucial evidence for the police to make multiple arrests.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That buyer also turned out to be an undercover agent.

The New York Times

It ended when he was arrested by an undercover agent.

The New York Times

The supposed relative was an undercover agent, prosecutors said.

The New York Times

The Soviets already had an undercover agent on the project.

The New York Times

On Jan . 7 2000, the undercover agent visited Colisseum Dental.

The New York Times

Two days later, Jack telephoned the undercover agent.

The New York Times - Magazine

It seems she was an undercover agent for the Protestant revolution.

Independent

Inside were some 20 firearms, which Mr. Masso delivered to another undercover agent in New York.

The New York Times

Planning to leave the country afterward, he sent passport pictures to the undercover agent.

The New York Times

The trouble culminated in his selling 2.2 ounces of crack cocaine to an undercover agent.

The New York Times

But both men were already under surveillance by an undercover agent, court documents said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use specific details to illustrate the challenges and risks associated with the role of an "undercover agent", making your narrative more engaging and believable.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all actions taken by an "undercover agent" are automatically legal; their actions must still comply with legal boundaries and protocols.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undercover agent" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying an individual who operates secretly to gather information. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correctly and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

8%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undercover agent" is a commonly used and grammatically sound noun phrase referring to an individual operating secretly, often within law enforcement or intelligence contexts. Ludwig AI validates its common usage and correctness. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase serves to inform and describe clandestine activities. Alternatives such as "secret operative" or "covert operative" offer subtle variations in emphasis. When writing about "undercover agents", it's crucial to maintain accuracy and avoid assumptions about their authority. Remember to contextualize the role and actions within legal and ethical boundaries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Undercover operative

Alternative wording with operative.

Secret agent

A more general term that emphasizes the secrecy of the agent's role.

Covert operative

Similar to "secret operative", focusing on the hidden nature of the operation.

Secret operative

Focuses on the secrecy and operational nature of the agent's work.

Clandestine operative

Highlights the covert and often illicit nature of the agent's activities.

Deep cover operative

Highlights the extended duration and immersive nature of the undercover assignment.

Infiltrator

Emphasizes the act of penetrating a group or organization secretly.

Mole

Suggests a long-term, deeply embedded agent working from within.

Plant

Similar to "mole", but can also refer to a short-term operative.

Intelligence asset

Highlights the value of the agent as a source of information.

FAQs

How to use "undercover agent" in a sentence?

An "undercover agent" infiltrates criminal organizations to gather information, often facing significant personal risk.

What's the difference between "undercover agent" and "secret agent"?

While both terms refer to agents working in secrecy, "undercover agent" specifically implies the agent has assumed a false identity to infiltrate a target organization, whereas "secret agent" is more general.

What are some synonyms for "undercover agent"?

Alternatives include "secret operative", "clandestine operative", and "covert operative", each with slightly different connotations.

Is it acceptable to use "undercover operative" instead of "undercover agent"?

Yes, "undercover operative" is a perfectly acceptable and semantically similar alternative.