secured by

USAGE SUMMARY

"secured by" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to be made safe or protected by something or someone. Example: The loan was secured by her house, giving the bank the right to take ownership of the property if she failed to repay the loan.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many public contracts are secured by kickbacks.

The Economist

Both boxes are secured by leather thongs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The loans are generally secured by collateral.

The New York Times

The template was secured by McGuigan.

The Guardian - Sport

His bearings are also secured by engineering.

The Guardian - Books

Most loans were secured by land and rolled over perpetually.

The New York Times

The company typically makes loans secured by the borrower's assets.

The New York Times

Democracy would be secured by the power of money.

The Guardian - Opinion

All the officer positions were secured by moderates.

The Guardian - Opinion

His legacy was secured by the film theorist Andre Bazin.

The New Yorker

"It does question whether the investor is secured by collateral".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "secured by", ensure the object providing the security is clearly identified. For instance, "The loan is secured by the property" leaves no ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "secured by" in overly complex passive constructions that obscure the subject. Instead of "Security was secured by the guards", opt for "The guards secured the area".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secured by" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate the means by which something is protected, guaranteed, or made safe. Ludwig's examples illustrate its usage in various contexts such as finance ("loans are generally secured by collateral") and physical protection ("boxes are secured by leather thongs").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "secured by" is a prepositional phrase indicating that something is protected or guaranteed by something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Its function is to convey assurance, and it appears frequently in science, news, and encyclopedia contexts. Remember to clearly identify what provides the security and avoid overly complex sentence structures. Related phrases like "protected by" and "guaranteed by" offer alternatives depending on the nuance you wish to convey. The phrase is versatile and crucial for expressing reliability across diverse topics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

protected by

Emphasizes the act of shielding from harm or danger, rather than guaranteeing something.

safeguarded by

Similar to protected by, but with a stronger emphasis on preservation and long-term security.

shielded by

Focuses on providing a barrier against something harmful, like physical or financial threat.

guaranteed by

Focuses on the assurance or certainty provided by something, rather than physical security.

ensured by

Highlights the actions taken to make something certain to happen.

backed by

Implies support or endorsement, often used when discussing resources or authority.

supported by

Highlights the provision of assistance or validation, differing from a strict guarantee.

underwritten by

Suggests a financial backing or insurance aspect, often used in formal contexts.

assured by

Focuses on the feeling of confidence or certainty, rather than concrete protection.

fortified by

Emphasizes the strengthening or reinforcement aspect, implying added resilience.

FAQs

How can I use "secured by" in a sentence?

The phrase "secured by" indicates that something is protected or guaranteed by something else. For example, "The debt is "secured by" collateral", meaning the lender can claim the collateral if the debt isn't paid.

What are some alternatives to "secured by"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "protected by", "guaranteed by", or "backed by" as alternatives to "secured by".

Is it correct to say "security secured by" something?

While grammatically correct, it can sound redundant. Consider rephrasing for clarity, such as "The area's security is "provided by" guards" instead of "The area's security is security "secured by" guards."

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

"Secured by" typically refers to concrete protection or guarantee, often involving physical assets or legal agreements. "Ensured by", on the other hand, refers to actions or measures taken to make something certain to happen. For example, a loan is "secured by" collateral, while success is "ensured by" hard work.