secured

USAGE SUMMARY

'secured' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as an adjective to describe objects, people, or events. For example: "The couple secured their future with a sizable savings account."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"How is the government saying the non-pensioners will continue to be eligible for concessions that are provided by the states?" Labor's social security spokeswoman, Jenny Macklin, said Hockey needed to explain whether he had secured the agreement of the states to continue providing the discounts.

The Guardian

They had little else in common over the course of the match with a Hearts side who did them such severe harm as they picked up the trophy they also secured in 2006.

The Guardian - Sport

France have tailored their training regime accordingly ever since their place in the last 16 was secured, with Deschamps describing a 1pm start as "unusual" and expecting the heat to have an impact on the pace of the game.

The Guardian - Sport

Humiliated over his wife Iris's affair and the £50,000 loan she secured for her lover; embattled due to allegations about his financial dealings with property developers and revelations over his and his wife's parliamentary expenses, Robinson's position on the surface at least appears to be precarious.

The Guardian

With the help of a pocket payment we secured an appointment in two weeks instead of the usual two months.

The Guardian

This victory, secured in the sweltering Scottish heat, means Brownlee has titles at the Commonwealth Games, the Olympics, the Europeans and the world championships – a full house of successes that surpasses all expectations he ever had when starting out in the sport.

The Guardian - Sport

Amid the rejoicing, the unlikely allies who had secured victory for the no campaign would soon be back at each other's throats, after Cameron seized the moment of triumph to play the English card – providing the SNP a quick route back from defeat.

The Guardian

The Islamic republic's state news agency, Irna, quoted Mohammad-Ali Sabour, the head of Iran's national triathlon federation, saying that Gerami had secured an official blessing and was nominated after the International Triathlon Union (ITU) agreed to set up a tent where she could change into her cycling and running clothes after swimming.

The Guardian

This got me thinking: has any team ever secured league status after enduring a heavier loss than Villa's at the weekend?

The Guardian - Sport

In the 1997 general election, it secured 24.1% of the vote, which dropped to 22% in the assembly election, although the party topped the poll after a poor performance by the Ul ster Unionists.

The Guardian

It was only in 1962 that he secured a permanent position in the kingdom, when he became commander of the national guard, whose task was to protect the royal house.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "secured", ensure the context clearly indicates what was obtained, ensured, or made safe. Provide specific details to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "secured" in passive voice constructions, which can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Instead, consider using active voice to show who or what performed the action. For example, instead of "Funding was secured by the team", try "The team secured funding".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "secured" is as a past participle of the verb "secure". It often functions as an adjective modifying a noun or as part of a verb phrase in the passive voice. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Sport

21%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "secured" functions primarily as the past participle of the verb "secure", used to describe the act of obtaining something, ensuring safety, or finalizing agreements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable term in English, and its frequency in news and business contexts indicates its formality and wide applicability. When using "secured", ensure clarity by specifying what was obtained or made safe, and avoid overuse in passive constructions to maintain a strong and active writing style. Consider alternatives like "obtained" or "ensured" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Obtained

Replaces "secured" with a focus on the act of gaining possession or access.

Acquired

Similar to "obtained" but often implies a more formal or deliberate effort to gain something.

Ensured

Shifts the focus to guaranteeing or making certain that something happens.

Procured

Suggests effort and careful planning in obtaining something, often something difficult to get.

Guaranteed

Emphasizes the certainty and reliability of something being achieved or maintained.

Achieved

Highlights the successful completion of a goal or objective.

Attained

Similar to "achieved", but often implies a higher level of effort or ambition.

Locked in

Indicates a firm and unchangeable agreement or state.

Clinched

Implies a decisive action that finalizes something, such as a deal or victory.

Arranged

Focuses on the preparatory steps taken to ensure something is in place or ready.

FAQs

How can I use "secured" in a sentence?

"Secured" is often used to describe obtaining something, ensuring safety, or finalizing an agreement. For example, "The company "secured a loan"", or "The building was "secured against intruders"".

What can I say instead of "secured"?

You can use alternatives like "obtained", "acquired", "ensured", or "procured" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "secured a victory" or "won a victory"?

Both "secured a victory" and "won a victory" are correct, but "won a victory" is more direct and common. "Secured a victory" emphasizes the effort or process involved in achieving the victory.

What is the difference between "secured" and "ensured"?

"Secured" often implies obtaining or making something safe, while "ensured" focuses on guaranteeing a particular outcome or result. For instance, you might "secure a contract" and "ensure its successful completion".