accessed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "accessed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an action verb usually used in the past tense. Example: She accessed the online database to find the information she needed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Much of the collection can be accessed electronically, while touring exhibitions make its treasures accessible all over the world.The trouble is, this is all rather expensive.

The Economist

The King's Place building is fully accessible for wheelchair users and the Guardian offices can be accessed from a ground floor lift.

The Guardian

Related: Handful of UK spies accessed private information inappropriately, ISC says May, a retired appeal judge, pointed out that accessing GCHQ's computers for an unauthorised purpose could amount to an offence under the Computer Misuse Act 1990, though he did not go so far as to say that a prosecution should have been brought.

The Guardian

The money is accessed through their mobile phones, with M-Pepea sending a special pin code to be used in cash machines.

The Guardian

There was no online global data bank that could be accessed or used by refugees themselves.

The Guardian

The database holding the programs had been accessed more than 20,000 times, but there is no evidence that they have ever been deployed for use beyond GCHQ staff.

The Guardian

A proxy can mask your online activity by relaying data (accessed through your browser) via a server in a different location, thus obfuscating the source of your original requests.

The Guardian - Tech

Occasionally referred to as being part of the "deep" web, the data accessed through Tor is unindexed by search engines, making it, in a sense, invisible.

The Guardian - Tech

With the app on your phone, or accessed via the mobile website, you will never be lost again.

The Guardian - Travel

The unusual layout – one bedroom is downstairs by the sitting room; the other is accessed by an outdoor staircase and has its own kitchenette - makes it great for two couples.

The Guardian - Travel

British Virgin Islands: Set sail for Biras Creek on Virgin Gorda, located between two hills on a spectacular 140-acre peninsula, and accessed only by boat.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing digital access, specify the method. For example, instead of just saying "the file was accessed", specify "the file was accessed via a secure server".

Common error

Ensure you're using the correct tense. "Accessed" is the past tense. Use "access" for the present tense and "accessing" for the continuous tense.

Linguistic Context

The word "accessed" functions as the past tense and past participle of the verb "access". According to Ludwig AI, it indicates the action of gaining entry or obtaining something. The examples show it used in various contexts, from accessing databases to physical locations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

21%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "accessed" is the past tense of the verb "access", indicating that something has been entered, used, or obtained. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. It is most frequently found in news and media, formal business, and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When using "accessed", ensure the correct tense is used and consider specifying the method of access for clarity. For alternative phrasing, consider "gained access to", "obtained", or "retrieved" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gained access to

Replaces the single verb with a verb phrase, emphasizing the act of obtaining access.

obtained

A simpler, more direct synonym focusing on the result of getting something.

gained entry to

Highlights the physical or metaphorical act of entering a place or system.

logged into

Specifically refers to accessing a computer system or online account.

entered

A basic synonym indicating the act of going into something.

utilized

Indicates the use of something that was made available.

retrieved

Focuses on getting something back or obtaining it from a storage location.

consulted

Used when accessing information for reference or advice.

reviewed

Suggests a careful examination of information upon accessing it.

inspected

Implies a detailed and thorough examination after gaining access.

FAQs

How do I use "accessed" in a sentence?

Use "accessed" to indicate that something was entered, used, or obtained, such as "The database was "accessed" by the administrator".

What's a good alternative to "accessed"?

Depending on the context, you could use "obtained", "gained access to", or "retrieved".

What is the difference between "accessed" and "accessing"?

"Accessed" is the past tense, meaning the action has already happened. "Accessing" is the present continuous tense, meaning the action is currently happening. For example: "He "accessed" the files yesterday" versus "He is currently "accessing" the files".

Is it correct to say "the information was accessed to"?

No, the correct phrasing is "the information was "accessed"" or "someone "accessed" the information". The preposition "to" is not needed.