access

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "access" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to the ability to use, enter, or approach something. For example: "The internet provides us with access to a world of information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Leigh Daynes, executive director of Doctors of the World UK, said: "The failure to ensure equitable access to healthcare across Europe is this century's hidden public health time bomb.

The Guardian

"The Commission needs to make sure that consumers continue to have access to a wide variety of music in different physical and digital formats at competitive conditions".

The New York Times

The need to introduce residence permits to restrict access to public services and welfare benefits for new migrants stems from the simple fact that despite the Home Office's £800m "e-borders" project nobody's passport is stamped with the date they entered Britain.

The Guardian

Invisible Children has good access to international media but they have no connection with the community they claim to represent".

The Guardian

The proposal does not go as far as banning EU migrants access to income-related benefits entirely for the first year in the UK, as had previously been suggested.

The Guardian

The 2 million people from other EU states who live in Britain will be forced to have resident permits or identity cards if David Cameron is to fulfil his pledge to make rules on access to public services for new migrants the toughest in Europe.

The Guardian

States and territories will also lose access to reward payments for reducing waiting times under the national partnership agreement on improving public hospital services, saving the federal government $201m over three years.

The Guardian

Amendments adopted in 2014, for example, give authorities the right to cut internet and mobile phone access without judicial review.

The Guardian

Cameron will also set out plans to restrict foreigners from access to social housing if they have not been resident in the UK for five years, plans widely trailed over the weekend, as well as making it easier for the NHS to claim back the costs of treating people from overseas.

The Guardian

Bowing the knee to Angela Merkel would allow Greece to get access to the short-term finance that will allow it to pay its debts, but it will be political suicide for Syriza.

The Guardian - Business

"To get that, we need access to childcare as much as we need access to roads and rail".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about abstract concepts, clarify what kind of "access" you are referring to (e.g., "access to information", "access to healthcare").

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "access" (the ability to use or enter) with "excess" (an amount that is more than necessary, permitted, or desirable).

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "access" is as a noun, denoting the ability or right to enter, use, or approach something. As shown in Ludwig, it can also function as a verb meaning to obtain or gain entry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "access" is a versatile term, primarily functioning as a noun to denote the ability or right to enter, use, or approach something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable word in written English. With a "Very common" frequency, it frequently appears in "News & Media", "Formal & Business", and "Science" contexts. When using "access", ensure you clarify the type of access you're referring to (e.g., "access to information") to avoid ambiguity, and remember to use the preposition "to", rather than "on", when needed. Alternatives like "entrance" or "admission" can provide nuanced variations depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

means of entry

A more explicit way of describing how one gains "access".

right of entry

Highlights the legal or granted permission to enter.

entrance

Refers to a point or means of entry, similar to one meaning of "access".

admission

Focuses on the act of being allowed to enter, close to the 'right to enter' sense of "access".

entry

Highlights the act or right of entering.

approach

Emphasizes the method or way of reaching something.

passage

Suggests a way through or into something.

way in

An informal way to refer to a means of gaining "access".

avenue

Implies a route or way of approaching something, often figuratively.

opportunity

Highlights a chance or possibility to obtain or use something.

FAQs

How do I use "access" in a sentence?

"Access" can function as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to the ability or means to enter or use something (e.g., "They have "access to" the building"). As a verb, it means to gain entry or use (e.g., "You can "access the data" online").

What are some nouns with similar meaning to "access"?

Synonyms for "access" include "admission", "entry", "entrance", "approach", and "passage". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "have access on" something?

No, the correct preposition to use with "access" is "to". You should say "have "access to"" something, not "on" something.

What's the difference between "access" and "accessibility"?

"Access" refers to the ability or means to enter or use something. "Accessibility" refers to the quality of being easily reached or used. For example, you might have "access" to a website, but its "accessibility" might be poor if it's difficult to navigate.