had secure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had secure" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used construction and lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "They had secure access to the building."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"They had secure cash flows in a time of uncertainty".

The New York Times

She had secure tenure under her rent agreement.

The Guardian - Money

If you never had secure employment or many financial assets, you cannot lose them to the crisis.In Rajasthan, this resilience is also the result of government policy.

The Economist

Her father had secure commissions for several important buildings there, including the Austro-Hungarian Embassy, for which the Emperor Franz Josef gave him a decoration.

The Guardian - Books

Another news agency, Fars, which is associated with Iran's powerful Republican Guard Corps, reported that Iranian police officers had secure the release of six members of the British embassy staff who had been put "under siege" by hardline students.

The New York Times

A decade ago, Boeing's engineers were the princes of the Seattle economy: the creators of the jumbo jet had secure, well-paid jobs and the respect not just of the company but of the town.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

We had secured Basra.

The New Yorker

And we had secured a pay rise.

The Guardian

Since then, nobody had secured the scene for an investigation.

The New Yorker

Clottey had secured the fight he always wanted.

The New York Times

Within an hour, the authorities had secured the city center.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Provide context when using "had secure" to specify what was secured, such as "had secure access" or "had secure communication".

Common error

Avoid using "had secure" without specifying what was secured. This construction is often unclear and can weaken the sentence's meaning. Always clarify the object of security for better understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had secure" functions as a verb phrase requiring completion to convey a complete meaning. It suggests a state of possession related to security or assurance, but lacks the specificity of a stronger verb. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

23%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had secure" is grammatically questionable and not considered standard English. Ludwig AI also indicates that it is not correct in standard written English. Although examples appear in various sources, clarity and precision can be improved by using stronger and more specific verbs like "secured", "ensured", or "guaranteed". Context is crucial when using this phrase; specifying what was secured significantly enhances understanding. Therefore, while "had secure" appears in some contexts, it's advisable to opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secured

Implies successfully obtaining or establishing something firmly.

ensured

Focuses on guaranteeing a specific outcome or condition.

guaranteed

Emphasizes a promise or assurance of safety or reliability.

obtained

Highlights the act of gaining possession of something, possibly protection.

established

Emphasizes creating or setting up something in a stable manner.

possessed

Indicates ownership or holding something, including security.

maintained

Focuses on keeping something in a safe or stable condition.

preserved

Highlights protecting something from harm or loss.

protected

Focuses on actively defending or shielding something from danger.

fortified

Suggests strengthening or reinforcing something for enhanced security.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to using "had secure"?

Depending on the context, consider alternatives such as "secured", "ensured", or "guaranteed" for greater clarity.

How can I use "had secure" correctly in a sentence?

To use "had secure" more effectively, specify what was secured. For example, "had secure access", "had secure communications", or "had secure tenure" provides better context.

What is the difference between "had secure" and "secured"?

"Secured" is a more direct and active verb. Instead of saying "they had secure the perimeter", it is clearer and more effective to say "they secured the perimeter".

Is "had secure" grammatically correct?

While examples of "had secure" exist, it is not considered standard English usage. It's generally better to use a more specific verb to enhance clarity and grammatical correctness.