to gain entry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to gain entry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of obtaining access to a place or situation. Example: "The security measures were strict, making it difficult for anyone to gain entry to the building without proper identification."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It took ten minutes to gain entry to the house.

The New Yorker

Women fought hard to gain entry to medical schools.

The Guardian

It sometimes takes cajoling and negotiation to gain entry.

The New York Times

As with an A.T.M. password, owners can set their own PIN to gain entry.

The New York Times - Tech

To gain entry into the Destiny beta, players can visit Bungie.net and follow the instructions.

The Guardian - Tech

He had to knock on the locked clubhouse doors to gain entry.

The New York Times - Sports

To gain entry, the gunmen claimed that they were carrying out an authorized prisoner transfer.

The New York Times

The challenge for any candidate or spouse is how to gain entry to this culture.

The New York Times

Taiwan was expected to gain entry as a stand-alone member, shortly after China's admission.

The New York Times

Posing as police officers to gain entry, they held the men and their families at gunpoint.

The Guardian

Fans started queuing on Saturday to gain entry into Monday's play at Wimbledon.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to gain entry", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being entered and the method or effort involved in achieving that entry.

Common error

While "to gain entry" is widely applicable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing where more precise verbs like 'acquire', 'secure', or 'achieve' may provide better clarity and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to gain entry" functions as an infinitive phrase typically used to express purpose or intention. It indicates the reason for doing something, often implying effort or a process to achieve access. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to gain entry" is a grammatically correct and frequently used infinitive phrase that conveys the purpose of obtaining access, often implying effort or a specific process. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. It is most commonly found in news and media sources, with a neutral register suitable for diverse writing styles. While acceptable in most situations, it's advisable to consider more precise alternatives in highly formal contexts. The related phrases offer alternatives with varying levels of formality and emphasis. Remember that "to gain entry" specifically refers to the act of entering, distinguishing it from the broader term "to gain access".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To gain access

This option is shorter but it is almost a synonym for "to gain entry".

To obtain access

This alternative focuses on the act of receiving access, which is similar but less suggestive of effort than the original phrase.

To secure admission

Emphasizes formal approval or acceptance rather than simply getting in.

To acquire entrance

Highlights the process of getting in, with a slightly more formal tone.

To achieve admittance

Focuses on successfully being allowed in, which is similar to gaining entry but highlights the end result.

To enter

This focuses solely on the action of entering a place and lacks the nuance of acquiring or earning it.

To be admitted

This phrase is focused on the state of being allowed in, removing the effort-related implication.

To get inside

This is a more informal and simple way to express entry, often implying a physical space.

To pass through

This highlights the act of moving from one place to another, downplaying the process to gaining entry.

To infiltrate

Implies a clandestine or secretive entry, unlike the neutral tone of the original phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "to gain entry" in a sentence?

You can use "to gain entry" to describe the process of entering a place or organization, such as, "They needed a special pass "to gain entry" to the restricted area."

What can I say instead of "to gain entry"?

You can use alternatives like "to obtain access", "to secure admission", or "to acquire entrance" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to gain entry" or "to gain access"?

Both "to gain entry" and "to gain access" are correct. "To gain entry" specifically refers to the act of entering a place, while "to gain access" is broader and can refer to accessing information, systems, or places.

What's the difference between "to gain entry" and "to enter"?

"To gain entry" implies an effort or process in getting inside, while "to enter" simply means to go inside. For instance, "They had to bribe the guards "to gain entry"," versus "They decided to enter the building."