to secure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to secure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the purpose, aim, or intention of an action. For example: "We launched the project to secure a better future for the next generation".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"First priority: to secure.

The New York Times

Backstitch to secure again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Even Costa has struggled to secure financing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Governments will rush to secure raw materials.

The Economist

He altered his behaviour to secure release.

The Guardian

They have pledged to secure its return.

The Economist

"Consent" is not hard to secure.

The New York Times

Register now to secure your free place.

The Guardian - Money

We need to secure that third place.

Independent

Someone needs to secure Darfur's border.

The Economist

Who would fail to secure our borders?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to secure", ensure the object of the verb is clearly defined. For example, instead of saying "efforts to secure", specify "efforts to secure funding" or "efforts to secure the border".

Common error

Avoid using "to secure" in unnecessarily passive constructions. For example, instead of writing "Measures need to be secured", write "We need to secure measures" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to secure" functions primarily as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. It is commonly used to express the goal of making something safe, obtaining something, or guaranteeing a specific outcome, as evidenced by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to secure" is a versatile infinitive used to express purpose, intention, or goal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various domains, particularly in News & Media. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the specific context and choose synonyms like "to ensure" or "to guarantee" when a more precise meaning is desired. Remember to clearly define the object of "to secure" for better clarity and avoid passive constructions for a more direct writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to ensure

Replaces "secure" with "ensure", focusing on guaranteeing a specific outcome.

to guarantee

Emphasizes a firm promise or assurance of achieving something.

to safeguard

Highlights the act of protecting something from potential harm or loss.

to assure

Focuses on providing confidence or certainty about something.

to obtain

Implies acquiring or gaining possession of something, often through effort.

to acquire

Similar to "obtain", but may suggest a more gradual or strategic process of gaining something.

to procure

Suggests obtaining something, often with care or effort, especially something difficult to get.

to attain

Implies reaching a goal or achieving a certain status or level.

to lock down

An informal alternative emphasizing making something safe and inaccessible to others.

to nail down

An informal alternative that suggests finalizing or confirming something definitively.

FAQs

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

The phrase "to secure" is often used to express the purpose of an action, like in the sentence, "We need to act now "to secure" our future." It indicates the aim or objective of an action.

What are some alternatives to "to secure"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "to ensure", "to guarantee", or "to safeguard" as alternatives "to secure".

Is there a difference between using "to secure" and "to ensure"?

While both phrases can be used interchangeably in some contexts, "to secure" often implies making something safe or obtaining something, while "to ensure" emphasizes guaranteeing a specific outcome.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "to secure"?

The phrase "to secure" is appropriate when you want to express the goal of making something safe, obtaining something, or ensuring a particular outcome. For example, "They are working hard "to secure" a deal."