to access

USAGE SUMMARY

"to access" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it any time you want to talk about a person, an object, or a place gaining entry to something. For example, "We need to create a secure login system in order to access the company records."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

'Easy to access bathrooms.

Independent

"So I want to access more public".

The New York Times

Visit london.gov.uk/graduates to access the site.

The Guardian - Money

"It was so difficult to access materials.

The New York Times

It was remarkably easy to access, too.

Independent

"It's crazy not to access that".

The New York Times

We don't get to access it.

The Guardian

He'd never be able to access them.

The New Yorker

Asio has different powers to access metadata.

The Guardian

"They were able to access that area.

The Guardian - Sport

But the issues aren't limited to access.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using "in order to access" for a more explicit statement of purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "to access" when you mean "access" as a noun. For example, instead of writing "They need to /s/to+access the building/s", write "They need access to the building".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to access" functions primarily as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or objective behind an action. This aligns with Ludwig AI's observation that it signifies gaining entry or obtaining something. It often follows verbs of action or necessity, clarifying the intended outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

31%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to access" functions as an infinitive of purpose, commonly used in instructions and explanations across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, highlighting its role in indicating how to gain entry or obtain something. Its frequency is very common, particularly in Wiki and News & Media sources. Remember to differentiate its usage from the noun form "access" and consider alternatives like "to gain access to" for added emphasis. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately use "to access" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to access

Adds an explicit indicator of purpose or intention.

for accessing

Transforms the phrase into a gerund phrase indicating purpose.

to gain access to

Emphasizes the process of obtaining entry or admittance.

to get into

Offers a more informal way to describe gaining entry.

to enter

Provides a concise synonym for the act of gaining access.

for entry to

Highlights the purpose of allowing entrance.

with the intention of accessing

Elaborates on the purpose with a more formal tone.

to be able to access

Focuses on the ability or capability to gain access.

so as to access

Presents a more formal equivalent of "in order to access".

by accessing

Indicates the method or means of gaining access.

FAQs

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

You can use "to access" to describe the act of gaining entry or retrieving information. For example, "You need a password /s/to+access the system/s".

What can I say instead of "to access"?

Alternatives include "to gain access to", "to enter", or "to get into" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "access to" or "accessing"?

Both are correct but used in different contexts. "Access to" is used when "access" is a noun (e.g., "access to information"). "Accessing" is used when "access" is a verb in its gerund form (e.g., "accessing data").

What's the difference between "to access" and "accessibility"?

"To access" describes the action of gaining entry or retrieving something, while "accessibility" refers to the quality of being easily reached or used. For example, "The website was designed /s/to+access information/s easily" versus "The website's accessibility features make it usable for people with disabilities".