gained access to

USAGE SUMMARY

"gained access to" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to obtain entry or permission to enter a place, system, or information. It can be used in various situations, such as gaining access to a building, a computer network, or someone's bank account. Here is an example sentence: "The hackers gained access to the company's confidential files by exploiting a vulnerability in their security system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

What if a hacker gained access to the site?

The New York Times

At 1.30pm, prisoners gained access to two more wings.

The Guardian

Sony also gained access to records from Hotz's PayPal account.

The New Yorker

Political opponents have not gained access to television.

The Economist

After Tycho's death Kepler gained access to his observation records.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In exchange, Shipyard gained access to Miller's laboratories and, probably most important, its distribution system.

The New York Times

Mr. Taub himself has never gained access to Mr. Babbitt's drafts or sketches.

The New York Times - Arts

General Kalinin appears to have gained access to American money nonetheless.

The New York Times

CNN said it gained access to the full videotape only today.

The New York Times

He reportedly gained access to the report after an opposition website mistakenly published it early.

The Guardian

At 11pm, police gained access to surveillance footage from an address under investigation in Nørrebro.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing digital security, consider using "gained access" instead of "hacked" to maintain a neutral tone unless malicious intent is confirmed. The phrase is more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "gained access to" when a simpler verb like "used" or "entered" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound verbose. For example, instead of "They gained access to the building", try "They entered the building".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gained access to" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate in a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates the action of obtaining entry or permission to use something. It often connects a subject with the object or location they were able to reach or utilize.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gained access to" is a versatile phrase used to express the action of obtaining entry or the ability to use something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media. While alternatives like "obtained access to" or "accessed" exist, the choice depends on the desired emphasis and level of formality. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying what was accessed and consider simpler alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtained access to

Indicates a more formal or deliberate act of acquiring access.

accessed

A more concise, single-word alternative implying the same meaning.

gained entry into

More specific to entering a physical location or system.

acquired entry to

Focuses on the act of physically entering a place or system.

gained admittance to

Focuses on being allowed or permitted to enter.

secured entry to

Highlights the effort or difficulty involved in gaining access.

were granted access to

Emphasizes that access was given by an external entity.

achieved entry to

Similar to "secured entry to" but can also mean 'accomplished'

managed to get into

Indicates a degree of effort or overcoming obstacles to gain access.

penetrated

Suggests overcoming defenses or barriers to gain access, often used in cybersecurity contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "gained access to" in a sentence?

You can use "gained access to" to describe how someone obtained entry or use of something. For example, "The journalist "gained access to" confidential documents".

What are some alternatives to "gained access to"?

Alternatives include "obtained access to", "accessed", or "secured entry to", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "gained access to" or simply "accessed"?

"Accessed" is more concise and often preferred. Use "gained access to" when you want to emphasize the process or difficulty in obtaining access.

What's the difference between "gained access to" and "given access to"?

"Gained access to" implies the subject actively obtained access, while "given access to" implies that someone else granted them access.