unofficially

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unofficially" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is not formally recognized or sanctioned, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "Although the project hasn't been officially approved, we can start working on it unofficially to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Much of this can be attributed to Sergei Kapkov, the city's former culture minister – unofficially "Moscow's Hipster Minister" – who resigned in March in this year.

The Guardian

During the Ben Ali years, Tunisia was unofficially France's most favoured nation in the Maghreb.

The Guardian

Spending on flood defences, which was boosted following the damaging 2014 floods in England, is likely to be unofficially ring-fenced, said Dustin Benton of the thinktank Green Alliance.

The Guardian

While Arab states that regularly, if unofficially, interact with Israel such as Kuwait boycotted the assembly due to their official Israeli non-recognition, Iran attended, and energy minister Hamid Chitchian even remained at the table when his Israeli counterpart, Silvan Shalom, spoke.

The Guardian

But he's more interested in confronting the ways in which that supremacy plays out, even – or perhaps especially – in an economically decimated place in which segregation is both officially frowned upon and unofficially practiced.

The Guardian - Opinion

Another puts Putin in military camouflage, with the slogan "The politest of people", a reference to the euphemistic term "the polite people", used to describe the Russian soldiers operating unofficially in Crimea.

The Guardian

Both said they were employed unofficially and paid cash-in-hand.

The Guardian

"I think we were both a little surprised that day," McPhee said of his first meeting with Detwiler, "but the excitement was palatable, and by the end of the day Kate had already unofficially incorporated me into the project".

The Guardian

Unofficially however, and more significantly, it was symptomatic of the struggle taking place within the parliamentary Conservative party.

The Guardian

They are vying, unofficially, to be the most famous family in the western world.

The Guardian - Music

Unofficially she was not.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unofficially" to clearly indicate actions or information not formally sanctioned or recognized. This avoids ambiguity and provides context for the reader.

Common error

While "unofficially" and "informally" are similar, "unofficially" specifically refers to the absence of official approval or recognition, whereas "informally" refers to the manner in which something is done. Choose the word that best fits the context.

Linguistic Context

The word "unofficially" functions as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that an action, state, or quality is not formally recognized, authorized, or sanctioned. Ludwig AI confirms its role in providing context about how something is performed or exists.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unofficially" is a versatile adverb that signifies the absence of formal recognition or authorization. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and business contexts. While similar to "informally", it carries a more specific meaning related to official status. When writing, ensure that "unofficially" accurately reflects the intended lack of formal endorsement to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "informally" or "without authorization" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

informally

This alternative simply exchanges one adverb for another with very similar meaning.

not formally

This is a straightforward alternative that directly contrasts with formal actions.

in an unofficial capacity

This is a more formal way of saying "unofficially", but has the same core meaning.

on the side

This suggests something done in addition to one's main activities, without formal endorsement.

under the table

This implies secrecy or illegality in addition to the lack of official status.

behind the scenes

This implies hidden activity or influence.

without authorization

This emphasizes the lack of permission, rather than the lack of formal status.

in private

This emphasizes the lack of public knowledge, but not necessarily the lack of official status.

confidentially

This emphasizes secrecy and trust.

as a secret

The alternative phrase gives more emphasis to the secrecy, while "unofficially" gives more emphasis to the absence of formal acknowledgement.

FAQs

How can I use "unofficially" in a sentence?

"Unofficially" is used to describe something that is not formally recognized or sanctioned. For example: "The project was "unofficially" approved, but the paperwork is still pending."

What words can I use instead of "unofficially"?

Alternatives include "informally", "on the side", or "without authorization", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "unofficially sanctioned"?

Yes, "unofficially sanctioned" means something is permitted or approved in practice, even though there's no formal authorization. This is a common and acceptable usage.

What's the difference between "unofficially" and "privately"?

"Unofficially" indicates the absence of formal recognition or approval, while "privately" means something is done or communicated in a non-public setting. They are not interchangeable.