be secured

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be secured" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something should be made safe or protected. Example: "All sensitive information must be secured before being transmitted over the network."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Can they be secured if he falls?

The New Yorker

Criminal evidence had to be secured.

The New Yorker

The former may be secured by copyright.

Harvard University

Permission must be secured in advance.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Those towns need to be secured.

The New York Times

How the border would be secured.

The Washington Post

The latter can only be secured, if it can be secured at all, by letters patent.

Harvard University

Hence, each login and subsequent session must be secured.

Procedia Computer Science

Application Server needs to be secured and secured well.

Special Ops Host and Network Security for Microsoft, UNIX, and Oracle

compliance with such section cannot be secured by voluntary means.

Cornell University

Description of how and where the funds will be secured.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Choose a synonym if "be secured" feels too formal or technical for your audience; alternatives like "be protected" or "be ensured" may be more suitable.

Common error

Avoid using "be secured" in very casual conversations. It can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler phrases like "make sure it's safe" or "keep it safe" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be secured" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something is receiving the action of being made safe or certain. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. For example, "The area must be secured" shows it receiving the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Academia

27%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be secured" functions as a passive verb phrase widely used to express the need for safety, protection, or certainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and Ludwig examples showcase its prevalence across diverse sources, including news media, academic texts, and scientific publications. While versatile, the phrase is more suited to neutral to formal contexts; informal settings may benefit from simpler alternatives. It's important to ensure context clearly articulates what is being secured and the nature of the threat or vulnerability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be protected

Focuses on the aspect of providing protection from harm or danger.

be safeguarded

Emphasizes the act of protecting something valuable or important.

be ensured

Highlights the certainty of an outcome or condition.

be guaranteed

Implies a formal assurance or promise of protection or fulfillment.

be obtained

Focuses on the act of acquiring or gaining possession of something.

be acquired

Similar to 'obtained', but often suggests a more gradual or complex process of gaining something.

be fastened

Emphasizes the physical act of making something firmly attached or closed.

be fortified

Suggests strengthening something to make it more resistant to attack or intrusion.

be shielded

Implies protecting something by interposing a barrier or defense.

be buttressed

Suggests providing support or reinforcement to prevent collapse or failure.

FAQs

What does "be secured" mean?

The phrase "be secured" means to be protected from danger, theft, or loss; or to ensure something is firmly in place. It implies a state of safety or certainty.

How can I use "be secured" in a sentence?

You can use "be secured" in a sentence like: "The perimeter must "be secured" before nightfall", or "All data must "be secured" with encryption".

Which is correct, "be secured" or "being secured"?

"Be secured" is generally used in passive voice constructions, while "being secured" implies an ongoing action. For example, "The building must "be secured"" versus "The building is "being secured" right now".

What can I say instead of "be secured"?

You can use alternatives like "be protected", "be safeguarded", or "be ensured" depending on the context.