not secured

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not secured" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not protected, locked, or made safe, often in contexts related to security or safety. Example: "The data on the server is not secured, which poses a risk of unauthorized access."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Esposito's safety harness was not secured.

The New York Times

Even so, the succession was not secured.

The Guardian

The crime scene was not secured.

The Guardian - Travel

Still, the victory was not secured until the buzzer.

The New York Times - Sports

Trump has not secured funding for his promised border wall.

The Washington Post

Private loans are not secured by the federal government.

The New York Times

Do not put sensitive data in the subject line because the subject line is not secured.

Stanford University

Any items not secured in a locker are left at the owner's discretion.

Stanford University

Anything not secured can float around in the cabin, bouncing off things and people.

Independent

As of last week, baseball had not secured a promise from prosecutors to share information.

The New York Times - Sports

But if it's not secured or heavy enough, it blows right in there".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing digital data, clarify the type of security missing: encryption, access controls, or physical safeguards.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "the system isn't secured". Instead, specify which aspects of the system lack adequate protection, such as user authentication or data encryption.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not secured" functions as a negative passive construction, indicating that something lacks protection or has not been made safe. Ludwig confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

22%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not secured" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the lack of protection or safety. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is used across diverse fields such as news, academia, and science. While versatile, it's crucial to specify the nature of the security deficiency to avoid vagueness. When writing, consider context-appropriate alternatives like "unprotected" or "vulnerable" for enhanced clarity. Remember to clarify the specific aspect of security that is missing for more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unprotected

Emphasizes the lack of physical or digital protection.

vulnerable

Highlights susceptibility to harm or attack.

at risk

Focuses on the presence of potential danger.

unfastened

Specifically refers to something not physically attached or closed.

unguarded

Implies a lack of supervision or watchfulness.

uninsured

Indicates a lack of financial protection.

unconfirmed

Emphasizes the absence of verification or certainty.

unratified

Signifies that something has not been officially approved.

left exposed

Highlights the state of being open and susceptible to external elements.

unwarranted

Focuses on lack of justification or guarantee.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "not secured" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "unprotected", "vulnerable", or "at risk" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, instead of saying "the data is not secured", you could say "the data is "vulnerable" to unauthorized access".

What are some common situations where something might be described as "not secured"?

The phrase "not secured" is often used to describe situations where physical objects are "not properly fastened", digital information lacks encryption, or areas lack adequate protection from intruders.

Is it better to use "not secure" or "not secured"?

Both "not secure" and "not secured" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Not secure" generally describes a state or condition, while "not secured" implies that an action to secure something was not performed. Context is key when using "not secure".

Can I use "not secured" to describe something that is uncertain?

While "not secured" primarily refers to a lack of physical or digital protection, it can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is uncertain or unconfirmed. However, in such cases, alternatives like "not guaranteed" or "not confirmed" may be more precise.