obtained access to

USAGE SUMMARY

"obtained access to" is a grammatically correct phrase in written English and is commonly used in formal and technical contexts.
Here are some examples: 1. The hacker obtained access to sensitive company data by exploiting a vulnerability in the system. 2. After years of negotiations, the country finally obtained access to the international market. 3. The museum only allows visitors who have obtained access to the VIP exhibition. 4. The new security measures ensure that only authorized personnel can obtain access to the building. 5. The team's success in obtaining access to new technologies propelled them to the forefront of the industry.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Emmerson has obtained access to senior officials controlling drone policy.

The Guardian

But several European news organizations obtained access to it.

The New York Times

German companies obtained access to rare earths and raw materials.

The New York Times

In its investigation, Winston & Strawn obtained access to confidential documents, including tax returns, from ChevronTexaco.

The New York Times

After much ado, Mary obtained access to the medication chart for her husband.

The Guardian

And she worked at Oxford University and obtained access to its libraries.

The New York Times - Science

She found out about the circumstances only when she obtained access to her case records many years later.

The Guardian

Working with a group of fellow hackers and trolls, he once obtained access to thousands of user accounts.

The New York Times - Magazine

In 2011, Chinese hackers obtained access to hundreds of United States government accounts on Google's Gmail.

The New York Times - Tech

Mrs Khan would never have obtained access to her son without presidential permission.

Independent

It is the first time Asio has confirmed that it obtained access to journalists' phone or web records.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the nuance you want to convey. Use "obtained access to" when you wish to emphasize the effort or process involved in gaining entry or the ability to use something. For instance, "The journalist "obtained access to" confidential documents through careful investigation".

Common error

Avoid using "obtained access to" in overly passive constructions. Instead of writing "Access was obtained to the system", a more direct and active phrasing like "The user "obtained access to" the system" can improve clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtained access to" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of gaining entry or the ability to use something. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing how individuals, groups, or entities come to possess the means to utilize resources or information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obtained access to" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that describes the action of gaining entry or usability. As confirmed by Ludwig, it commonly appears in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, emphasizing a deliberate or effortful acquisition. When writing, strive for active constructions and be mindful of the subtle differences between alternatives like "gained access to" and "accessed". While the phrase is versatile, overusing it in passive voice should be avoided for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gained access to

Synonymous alternative, emphasizes the act of gaining entry or usability.

acquired access to

Implies a process of getting or coming to have access.

secured access to

Focuses on the effort or measures taken to ensure access.

managed to access

Highlights the effort or difficulty in getting access.

managed to get access to

Similar to "managed to access" but more conversational.

accessed

A more concise, direct verb form.

was granted access to

Highlights that someone else gave the permission or means to access.

was given access to

Similar to "was granted access to", emphasizing permission.

had access to

Indicates a state of having the ability or right to use something.

procured access to

A more formal and less common way of saying "obtained access to".

FAQs

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

You can use "obtained access to" to describe the act of gaining entry or the ability to use something, for example, "The researcher "obtained access to" the database for their study".

What are some alternatives to "obtained access to"?

You can use alternatives like "gained access to", "acquired access to", or "secured access to" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "gained access to" or "obtained access to"?

Both "gained access to" and "obtained access to" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey. Gained might suggest a more natural or effortless process.

What's the difference between "accessed" and "obtained access to"?

"Accessed" is a more concise and direct verb form. "Obtained access to" implies a process or effort in gaining the ability to access something. For example, "He "accessed" the file" versus "He "obtained access to" the system after a lengthy approval process".