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Ludwig provides contextual example sentences from reliable sources like The New York Times, BBC, and academic publications, helping you understand how words and phrases are used in real-world contexts. This improves both writing fluency and comprehension skills.

Ludwig is trusted by students, teachers, researchers, and professionals worldwide. It's used by top universities including MIT, Stanford, Harvard, and Oxford, as well as professionals in tech companies like Adobe.

What makes Ludwig different from other writing tools?

Ludwig focuses on providing real example sentences from authoritative sources, not just grammar checking. This contextual approach helps users understand not just what's correct, but how language is actually used by native speakers and professional writers.

Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

Not at liberty to say
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"not at liberty to say" is correct and usable in written English
You can use it when you want to politely say that you cannot share something due to reasons such as confidentiality. For example, "I'm sorry, I'm not at liberty to say why she left the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

"I'm not at liberty to say that at this point," he said.

News & Media

The New York Times

We have some banks that purchase data — I'm not at liberty to say who — and municipalities.

News & Media

The New York Times

"I'm not at liberty to say very much," Mr. Vali said.

News & Media

The New York Times

"I'm sorry I'm not at liberty to say more about it".

News & Media

The New York Times

"I am not at liberty to say that, it's under litigation," Crow replied.

News & Media

The Guardian

"I'm not at liberty to say what the thinking is now, but there have been changes".

News & Media

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

What those steps are, however, he did not feel at liberty to say, except that they involve "commercial cloud providers" and "internet-based solutions".

News & Media

TechCrunch

That's all I'm at liberty to say".

News & Media

The New York Times

You were, they reported, at liberty to say "St.

News & Media

The New York Times

Certainly Mr Sangster retains shares in the horse but Richard Henry, a spokesman for Coolmore stud where Sadler's Wells purveys his services, says "I am not at liberty to tell you who owns the horse.

News & Media

The Economist

"What Marvel may or may not have planned for any of their actors or properties I am not at liberty to discuss," he says bluntly.

News & Media

Independent

Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

Use "not at liberty to say" when you need to politely decline to answer a question due to confidentiality, legal reasons, or other restrictions. It's a good way to avoid giving a direct 'no' while still indicating you cannot provide the information.

⚠ Common error

While "not at liberty to say" is a polite way to decline sharing information, it can sound overly formal or evasive in casual conversation. Choose a simpler, more direct alternative like "I can't say" or "I'm not able to share that right now" in informal settings.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not at liberty to say" functions as a polite and indirect way to decline answering a question or providing specific information. It indicates that the speaker is restricted from disclosing something, often due to confidentiality or other imposed limitations. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

⚠ Less common in

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not at liberty to say" is a commonly used phrase for politely declining to provide information, often due to confidentiality or other restrictions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use in news and media. While suitable for professional contexts, simpler alternatives may be better in casual conversations. Remember to avoid overuse and consider the specific reasons for non-disclosure when choosing a substitute. Top authoritative sources using this phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian and Huffington Post.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to disclose

More formal and direct; emphasizes the inability to reveal information.

cannot reveal

Similar in meaning, but slightly stronger in tone, indicating a prohibition.

not permitted to discuss

Highlights the lack of permission to share information.

bound by confidentiality

Specifically refers to a confidentiality agreement or obligation.

required to withhold that information

Emphasizes a mandatory obligation to keep the information private.

can't go into detail

Informal way of saying one cannot provide more information.

More alternative expressions(6)

not at liberty to look

not at liberty to diffuse

not at liberty to answer

not at liberty to divulge

not at liberty to disclose

not at liberty to reject

FAQs

What does "not at liberty to say" mean?

It means you are unable to provide specific information due to confidentiality, legal reasons, or other restrictions.

When is it appropriate to use "not at liberty to say"?

It's suitable when you need to politely decline to answer a question without giving a blunt refusal, especially in professional or formal settings.

What are some alternative phrases to "not at liberty to say"?

You can use alternatives like "unable to disclose", "cannot reveal", or "that's confidential" depending on the context.

Is "not at liberty to say" formal or informal?

It leans towards the formal side but can be used in neutral contexts. In very casual conversations, simpler phrases might be more appropriate.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

90%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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Not at liberty to sayGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

Not at liberty to say
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples