obtaining access

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obtaining access" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of gaining entry or permission to use something, such as information, a system, or a location. Example: "The first step in the process involves obtaining access to the secure database."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They are speed; accessibility, measured in lapsed time between the decision to use transport and obtaining access to it; reliability; frequency of the user's trips; intervals between the carriers' departures; minimized transfer or intermediate stopping points; and punctuality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We obtained specific goals, in terms of employment security and obtaining access to jobs of the future.

The New York Times

"Today, there is no problem obtaining access to the archives of that period, absolutely not," Mr. Melnikov said.

The New York Times

Other recommendations in the committee's report included increasing prosecutions of adult sites that fail to take adequate steps to prevent children obtaining access to them.

The Guardian

Obtaining access to information about where people are located or the places they have visited would be protected under the same standard.

The New York Times - Tech

As Beaudry, Green, and Sand put it, "having a B.A. is less about obtaining access to high paying managerial and technology jobs and more about beating out less educated workers for the Barista or clerical job".

The New Yorker

"Give people some credit," urges David Byrne, former leader of the Talking Heads rock group, who was recently blocked from obtaining access to boingboing.net, a popular technology-oriented blog.

The New York Times - Tech

"The responsible authorities will again have to find, in the interest of determining the truth, whether there is not a possibility of obtaining access to previously denied materials, at least to a limited extent," he wrote in the decision.

The New York Times

"The commission is disappointed that the court of appeal has not given substantive support to wheelchair users on the same basis as able-bodied persons in relation to obtaining access to bus transport.

The Guardian

Now, in the latest twist, some investigators suspect the perpetrator may have had ties to the American military, thereby obtaining access to either the anthrax itself or the knowledge of how to make it.

The New York Times

If the idea works, the trading of spectrum futures could benefit the telecommunications companies that own licenses and other companies that cannot function without obtaining access to the airwaves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about complex processes, use "obtaining access" to clearly indicate the step where someone gains entry or permission to a system, location, or information.

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "access was obtained by..." which can sound indirect. Instead, use active voice: "the user obtained access by..." for clearer and more direct writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtaining access" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It represents the action of gaining entry or permission. Ludwig examples show its use across diverse contexts, validating its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

29%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obtaining access" is a grammatically sound and commonly used gerund phrase referring to the act of gaining entry or permission. As Ludwig AI confirms, its frequent appearance across various reliable sources, including news, science, and formal documents, demonstrates its versatility and correctness. When using this phrase, prioritize active voice and consider context-specific synonyms like "gaining entry" or "securing permission" for enhanced clarity and impact. "Obtaining access" is a fundamental concept across diverse fields, use-cases and therefore it's essential to master it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gaining entry

Focuses specifically on the physical act of entering a place.

securing permission

Emphasizes the formal process of getting approval.

acquiring authorization

Highlights the legal or official approval aspect.

getting clearance

Implies passing a security check or meeting requirements.

arranging admittance

Suggests a managed or organized process of entry.

procuring entrance

Formal term for getting the right to enter.

effecting entry

More formal term that refers to successfully entering a place.

garnering acceptance

Refers to gaining approval to participate or use something.

achieving admission

Specifically used in the context of being allowed into an institution or program.

realizing opportunity

Refers to gaining the chance to do or achieve something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "obtaining access"?

You can use alternatives like "gaining access", "securing permission", or "acquiring authorization" depending on the context.

How to use "obtaining access" in a sentence?

Use "obtaining access" to describe the process of getting entry or permission to something. For example, "The first step involves obtaining access to the secure database."

Is there a difference between "obtaining access" and "granting access"?

"Obtaining access" refers to the act of receiving entry or permission, while "granting access" refers to the act of giving entry or permission to someone else. They are opposite actions.

When is it appropriate to use "obtaining access" in formal writing?

"Obtaining access" is suitable for formal writing when describing a procedural step or requirement. It clearly conveys the action of gaining entry or permission in various contexts.