a password reset

USAGE SUMMARY

"a password reset" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the process of changing or recovering a password. Example: "Please follow the link to initiate a password reset." Alternative expressions include "password change" and "password recovery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In either case, you can request a password reset.

University of California, Berkeley

For users whose account credentials were compromised, Reddit will force a password reset.

The Washington Post

The alternative is to ask for a password reset so that you can enter a new password.

The Guardian - Tech

Who do I contact to request an account or a password reset?

Harvard University

A message displays saying that a password reset request has been sent.

Stanford University

After a few moments you will receive a password reset email.

Columbia University

Bring your MIT ID to N42 during business hours, and ask for a password reset.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Submitting this temporary password in the login screen will initiate a password reset process with your email on file.

University of California, Berkeley

If you cannot remember your password or answer your security question, write to [email protected] to request a password reset.

University of California, Berkeley

To request a password reset through the IT Service Desk, you must visit in person or schedule a video chat.

Cornell University

It will remain locked for one minute, after which you may try again or request a password reset.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with active verbs like "request", "initiate", "perform" or "complete" for clarity in technical documentation.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase as a verb without the necessary grammatical structure; for example, do not say "I need to password reset my account". Instead, use "I need to perform "a password reset"" or the verb form "I need to reset my password".

Linguistic Context

In linguistic terms, "a password reset" functions as a compound noun phrase. It consists of an indefinite article followed by a noun adjunct ("password") and a head noun ("reset"). In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often serves as the direct object of verbs like "request", "receive" or "initiate".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "a password reset" is a grammatically correct and highly frequent phrase in modern English. According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used in technical, academic and journalistic contexts to describe the process of updating or recovering login credentials. It functions most effectively as a noun phrase. Writers should be careful not to confuse it with the verb form "to reset a password" but can confidently use it when referring to the procedure as a discrete event. The phrase is widely recognized and carries a professional tone suitable for both formal documentation and general news reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

password recovery

focuses on the restoration of access rather than just the act of resetting

password change

implies a voluntary update of an existing password

account recovery

a broader term that may include verifying identity via other means

credentials reset

more formal and can refer to multiple login factors

password update

usually refers to a routine security measure

resetting your password

uses the gerund form to describe the ongoing action

setting a new password

describes the final step of the process

login reset

specifically targets the entry point of a service

password override

implies an administrative action to bypass a forgotten password

identity verification

refers to the prerequisite step before a reset is allowed

FAQs

How do I use "a password reset" in a professional email?

You can use it to describe a required action, such as "Please initiate "a password reset" to secure your account".

What can I say instead of "a password reset"?

Depending on the context, you might use "password recovery" if the user has lost access or "password change" if they are simply updating it.

Is it "a password reset" or "the password reset"?

Use "a" for a general or new request and "the" when referring to a specific, previously mentioned reset process.

Which is more common: "a password reset" or "an account reset"?

While both are correct, "a password reset" is significantly more common when specifically referring to login credentials, whereas "an account reset" may imply wiping all user data.