secure the premises

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secure the premises" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to safety, security, or property management, often referring to ensuring that a location is safe and protected from unauthorized access. Example: "Before leaving for the weekend, please make sure to secure the premises to prevent any potential break-ins."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Would the city not secure the premises?

The Guardian

Repairs made to secure the premises are extra.

The New York Times

He said his large companions were there to "secure the premises" and "alleviate all problems".

The New York Times - Sports

Then, before she could fly back to its offices in Englewood, Colo., he sent a team of former agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation to secure the premises and change the locks.

The New York Times

In a splintered 1984 decision, the court suggested that the police could secure the premises from the inside, but did not resolve whether they can effectively evict the occupant to prevent destruction of evidence during the hours it takes for a search warrant to be issued.

The New York Times

"The gunmen then made Hasnat 'walk in front [of them] as a body shield' as they tried to secure the premises and see where the police were," said the lawyer.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Jake: The President coming to shop with his daughters and the Secret Service securing the premises was pretty unforgettable.

The Guardian - Books

Sally Cieslik, of Splashback, said: "The cost of keeping the centre open until December against the cost of closing and securing the premises until the end of the year is small compared to the benefits to the community.

The Guardian

But with a few dozen police officers securing the premises (including some on the roof of the nearby housing project), this show barely had the feel of a concert.

The New York Times - Arts

Because the authorities had secured the premises just hours after the residents departed — while much of my tour took place months or even years later — I often felt as if I were sneaking around in the Mexican version of Pompeii: under layers of dust, the sense of day-to-day life was immediately apparent.

The New York Times

So the family must have found it distressing when, in 1932, the Blumenthal house, then operating as the Bath Club, was raided by Prohibition agents who, while securing the premises, had to turn away "scores of fashionably dressed customers," as The Times put it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing security protocols, use "secure the premises" to clearly communicate the immediate need to protect a location from potential threats. This phrase is suitable for both professional and general contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "secure the premises" in everyday conversation. This phrase can sound overly formal or dramatic in informal settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "lock up" or "make sure everything's locked".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secure the premises" functions primarily as an imperative or directive. It instructs or advises on the action of making a location safe and protected. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

21%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "secure the premises" is a grammatically sound and direct instruction used to emphasize the importance of protecting a location. As highlighted by Ludwig, its communicative purpose is to convey urgency and the need for immediate action. While primarily found in news, wiki and business contexts, it maintains a neutral to professional register. For everyday conversations, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. The phrase, though correct, should be deployed thoughtfully to avoid sounding overly formal or dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lock down the building

Implies a more immediate and stringent security measure.

safeguard the property

Focuses on protecting the property from harm or damage.

protect the site

Emphasizes the defensive aspect of security.

ensure the security of the location

A more formal way of expressing the need for safety measures.

make the area safe

Prioritizes the overall safety of the location.

control the access to the building

Highlights the restriction of entry to the premises.

defend the establishment

Suggests a more active role in protecting the premises against threats.

fortify the area

Implies strengthening the security measures.

guard the location

Emphasizes the act of watching over and protecting the premises.

police the grounds

Suggests a more active patrolling and maintenance of order.

FAQs

How to use "secure the premises" in a sentence?

You can use "secure the premises" to describe actions taken to protect a location from threats or unauthorized access. For example, "The police were called to "secure the premises" after a break-in was reported".

What can I say instead of "secure the premises"?

Alternatives include "lock down the building", "safeguard the property", or "protect the site", depending on the specific context and level of formality.

Which is correct, "secure the premises" or "securing the premises"?

"Secure the premises" is an imperative phrase, often used as a command. "Securing the premises" is a gerund phrase, used to describe the action of securing the premises. Both are correct but used in different contexts. For example: "Secure the premises immediately!" versus "Securing the premises is our top priority".

What's the difference between "secure the premises" and "maintain the premises"?

"Secure the premises" refers to taking actions to protect a location from threats or unauthorized access, whereas "maintain the premises" refers to keeping the location in good condition through regular upkeep and repairs.