have been accessed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been accessed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been reached or utilized, often in the context of data or information. Example: "The files have been accessed by multiple users throughout the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The company said bank account numbers and sort codes may have been accessed.

The Guardian - Business

It has said that bank account numbers and sort codes, like those printed on a cheque, may have been accessed.

The Guardian

TalkTalk said there was "a chance" data including credit card and bank account details may have been accessed.

The Guardian - Business

Twitter is a great tool for finding people and resources that could never have been accessed 20 years ago.

The Guardian

In August, Carphone Warehouse admitted that the details of up to 2.4 million customers may have been accessed in a "sophisticated cyber-attack".

The Guardian - Business

Personal details of up to 2.4 million Carphone Warehouse customers may have been accessed after the company was hacked, the mobile phone retailer has said.

The Guardian - Money

The AFP's investigation is likely to raise further concerns that journalists' phone records may also have been accessed as part of the investigation.

The Guardian

The personal data, including bank details, of millions of Carphone Warehouse customers may have been accessed in a "sophisticated cyber-attack", the retailer has admitted.

The Guardian - Business

In August, Carphone Warehouse announced that details of up to 2.4 million customers may have been accessed in a "sophisticated cyber-attack".

The Guardian

The credit card data of 90,000 customers "may also have been accessed", the company said, although this was stored in an encrypted form.

The Guardian - Business

The investigations have drawn criticism from press freedom groups, and raised concerns that journalists' phone and web metadata may have been accessed in the course of these investigations.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, "have been accessed" can highlight methodologies or resources that researchers utilized during study

Common error

Avoid using "assessed" when you mean "accessed". "Assessed" means evaluated or judged, while "accessed" means gained entry to or utilized. Ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been accessed" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that something (data, information, locations, etc.) has been reached or utilized by someone or something else. Ludwig confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been accessed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive perfect construction. According to Ludwig, it indicates that something has been reached or utilized, often implying data access or system entry. Its usage is most frequent in News & Media and Science contexts, with a neutral register suitable for professional and informational settings. While alternatives like "were accessed" and "have been utilized" exist, the best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful to avoid confusion with "assessed", ensuring the word choice matches the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were accessed

This alternative uses a simpler past tense form of "to be", losing the perfective aspect.

have been reached

This alternative uses "reached" instead of "accessed", focusing on the act of arriving at a point or state.

have been obtained

This alternative emphasizes the acquisition or attainment of something.

have been utilized

This alternative uses "utilized", highlighting the practical use of something.

have been gained access to

This alternative explicitly states the act of gaining entry or access.

were gained access to

This alternative explicitly states the act of gaining entry or access in the past tense.

have been compromised

This alternative suggests that something has been exposed or made vulnerable, often in a negative context.

have been exposed

This alternative highlights the act of revealing or uncovering something.

have been penetrated

This alternative suggests the forceful or unauthorized entry into a system or area.

were available

This alternative focuses on the availability of something rather than the act of accessing it.

FAQs

How can I use "have been accessed" in a sentence?

You can use "have been accessed" to indicate that something has been reached or utilized, such as "The database files "have been accessed" by unauthorized users".

What are some alternatives to "have been accessed"?

Alternatives include "were accessed", "have been reached", or "have been utilized", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "have been accessed" or "were accessed"?

Both "have been accessed" and "were accessed" can be correct, but "have been accessed" implies a present perfect tense, indicating an action completed at an unspecified time in the past, while "were accessed" is simple past.

What's the difference between "have been accessed" and "have been compromised"?

"Have been accessed" simply indicates that something has been entered or utilized. "Have been compromised", on the other hand, suggests that something has been made vulnerable or exposed to risk.