accessing

USAGE SUMMARY

"accessing" is a word in English, and it is used in a variety of situations.
It is used to refer to the act of gaining access to something, such as information, services, or a physical place. For example: I am accessing my bank account online to check my current balance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

Having gained access to the target network, attackers usually run the standard application for accessing databases known as SQL (Structured Query Language).

The Economist

"Similar provisions in the TPP that will prevent whistleblowers and journalists from accessing or 'disclosing' trade secrets through a computer system," Sutton says.

The Guardian - Business

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The Guardian

iPhone Wikiwand: Faster Wikipedia Reader (Free) Not that impressed by the official Wikipedia app, but want something beyond accessing its website from your iPhone's browser?

The Guardian - Tech

The federal government has backed down on its plan to force young jobseekers to wait six months before accessing unemployment payments, budget papers will reveal.

The Guardian

He said that the total cost of foreigners accessing the NHS was thought to be around £2bn, and the fact that Creative Research were saying only £500m could be recovered showed how realistic they were being.

The Guardian

The Guardian has passed yet another digital traffic milestone, with over 120 million monthly unique browsers accessing theguardian.com in January 2015, according to the latest digital ABC figures released today.

The Guardian

He has multiple health problems and is accessing employee and support allowance, as is his disabled son.

The Guardian

Periscope's launch comes shortly after Twitter controversially blocked Meerkat from accessing its social graph – the means by which the app was helping people find others to watch based on who they were following on Twitter.

The Guardian - Tech

Broomhead says a recent poll by FSI of its members found that they felt they had difficulty accessing basic information on independence, transparency, sensitivity and clarity of guidelines.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about digital security, clearly differentiate between "accessing" data legally versus illegally. Using precise language helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "accessing" interchangeably with "possessing". "Accessing" implies the ability to reach or use something, not necessarily owning or controlling it.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "accessing" is that of a present participle or gerund, acting as a verb form indicating ongoing action. Ludwig AI, as confirmed that "accessing" is a verb and has given the example of 'I am accessing my bank account online to check my current balance'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "accessing" is a versatile term used to describe the act of gaining entry or availability to something, be it physical or digital. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples from sources like The Guardian and The Economist, underscoring its prevalence in news & media, formal & business, and scientific contexts. When using "accessing", ensure clarity by distinguishing it from "possessing" and by avoiding unnecessary prepositions like "to". By understanding its grammatical function and communicative purpose, you can effectively incorporate the term in your writing and speaking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gaining access to

This alternative uses a noun phrase instead of a verb form, emphasizing the attainment of access.

obtaining

This term focuses on the act of getting or acquiring something, which can be information or a physical item.

retrieving

This suggests getting something back or recovering it, typically data or information.

entering

This term is generally used for physical spaces but can be metaphorical, like entering a system.

utilizing

This refers to making use of something that is available.

reaching

This alternative implies managing to get to a certain point or resource.

connecting to

This suggests forming a link to something, often a network or system.

tapping into

This implies exploiting a resource or source for benefit.

making use of

This phrase emphasizes the active employment of something.

getting into

This suggests gaining entry, often used in a more informal context.

FAQs

How is "accessing" commonly used in a sentence?

Typically, "accessing" is used to describe the action of gaining entry to or making use of something, such as a database, website, or service. For example, "Users are "accessing" the website to retrieve data".

What are some alternatives to using "accessing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "gaining access to", "obtaining", or "retrieving".

What's the difference between "accessing" and "utilizing"?

"Accessing" refers to the act of gaining entry or availability, while "utilizing" implies making practical and effective use of something. You might be "accessing" a resource without fully "utilizing" its potential.

Is there a difference between saying "accessing data" and "accessing to data"?

Yes, the correct phrase is "accessing data". The preposition "to" is not needed after "accessing" when it's followed by a direct object.