very private

USAGE SUMMARY

"very private" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is personal or not to be shared with others. Example: "I prefer to keep my personal life very private."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Very private.

The New York Times

He was very private".

The New York Times

A very private man..

The New York Times - Books

Residents are very private.

Stanford University

She was very private.

The Guardian - Books

He kept very private.

The New York Times

Otherwise, they're very private.

The New York Times

"We're very private".

The Guardian - Books

He is a very private public figure.

The New Yorker

He was very private about it.

The New Yorker

"My business today is very private.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very private" to describe situations, information, or individuals that require discretion and are not meant for public knowledge. It's effective when emphasizing the need for confidentiality.

Common error

While "very private" is acceptable, consider stronger alternatives like "highly confidential" or "strictly confidential" in formal or business settings to convey a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very private" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It intensifies the quality of being private, indicating a strong degree of confidentiality or personal seclusion. Ludwig confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

7%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very private" is a common and grammatically sound adjective phrase used to emphasize discretion and confidentiality. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider stronger alternatives like "highly confidential" in formal settings. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, with a neutral register, serving to highlight the need for privacy and limited access to information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely confidential

Emphasizes the high level of secrecy and restricted access to information.

highly confidential

Indicates a significant degree of secrecy, often regarding sensitive information.

strictly confidential

Stresses the importance of maintaining secrecy and preventing disclosure.

deeply personal

Highlights the intimate and individual nature of something.

intensely private

Emphasizes the strong desire for privacy and seclusion.

top secret

Suggests a high level of confidentiality, often in government or military contexts.

under wraps

Implies that something is being kept secret or hidden from public view.

off the record

Indicates that information is not intended for public release or attribution.

behind closed doors

Suggests that something is happening in secret, away from public scrutiny.

uncharted territory

Suggests something unexplored or unknown

FAQs

How can I use "very private" in a sentence?

You can use "very private" to describe something that should be kept confidential, such as "The details of the negotiation are "very private"" or "He is a "very private" person and doesn't share much about his personal life".

What are some alternatives to "very private"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "highly confidential", "deeply personal", or "strictly confidential".

Is it redundant to say "very private"?

While "private" alone can convey the meaning, adding "very" emphasizes the degree of privacy. It's not necessarily redundant, but consider if the emphasis is needed or if a stronger synonym would be more effective.

When should I avoid using "very private"?

Consider avoiding "very private" in highly formal contexts where a more sophisticated term like "extremely confidential" or "sensitive" might be more appropriate.