Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
were not accessed
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "were not accessed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not reached, utilized, or retrieved, often in contexts related to data, files, or resources. Example: "The files were not accessed during the audit, which raised concerns about data security."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
20 human-written examples
TalkTalk said complete credit card details are not stored in its system and that account passwords were not accessed.
News & Media
TalkTalk also said that complete credit card details were not stored in its system and that account passwords were not accessed.
News & Media
The company has claimed data stolen in the attack would not allow criminals to plunder customers' bank accounts, as complete credit card details were not stored in its system and account passwords were not accessed.
News & Media
Thankfully, some of the most sensitive data fields, such as sexual orientation, were not accessed, Facebook confirms to me.
News & Media
Facebook's other apps including Messenger, Messenger Kids, Instagram, WhatsApp, Workplace, and Pages, as well as its features for payments, third-party apps, advertisers, and developers were not accessed.
News & Media
While specifics of the attack were not revealed, Zappos says that credit card and payments data were not accessed or affected by the criminal.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
40 human-written examples
Room 303, our final destination, is not accessed by way of a key.
News & Media
All websites are not accessed equally on the Web.
deep web, is not accessed by regular users.
News & Media
But credit card data was not accessed, the airline said.
News & Media
The counting was done anonymously in aggregate and the content of the messages was not accessed.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When discussing data security, use "were not accessed" to clearly state that sensitive information remained protected during a breach or incident.
Common error
Avoid using "were not accessible" when you specifically mean that something existed but wasn't reached or used. "Accessible" refers to the potential for access, while "accessed" refers to the act of accessing.
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "were not accessed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something (the subject) did not undergo the action of being accessed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.
Frequent in
Science
33.3%
News & Media
33.3%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Wiki
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "were not accessed" is a grammatically sound and usable construction that indicates a lack of access to something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's employed across various domains, particularly in news and science. While relatively rare, it serves a crucial function in clarifying the scope of events or conditions, often related to data security and system integrity. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and accuracy to avoid confusion with similar terms like "were not accessible". Alternatives such as "were not utilized" or "were not reached" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific context.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
were not reached
Focuses on the lack of physical or abstract access.
were not utilized
Emphasizes the lack of use or application.
were not obtained
Highlights the failure to acquire or gain something.
were not retrieved
Focuses on the inability to recover or find something.
were not available
Emphasizes the lack of accessibility or presence.
remained untouched
Highlights that something was not altered or affected.
were left unused
Focuses on the fact that something wasn't put to use.
were kept off-limits
Indicates that access was intentionally restricted.
were not exploited
Highlights a failure to leverage or take advantage of something.
were circumvented
Suggests that something was bypassed or avoided.
FAQs
How to use "were not accessed" in a sentence?
Use "were not accessed" to indicate that something was not reached, utilized, or retrieved. For example, "The files "were not accessed" during the audit."
What can I say instead of "were not accessed"?
You can use alternatives like "were not utilized", "were not retrieved", or "were not reached depending on the context.
Which is correct, "were not accessed" or "was not accessed"?
"Were not accessed" is used with plural subjects, while "was not accessed" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The files "were not accessed"" (plural) versus "The file "was not accessed"" (singular).
What's the difference between "were not accessed" and "were not accessible"?
"Were not accessed" indicates that something existed but was not reached or used. "Were not accessible" means something could not be reached or obtained. For example, "The files "were not accessed" due to a security breach" versus "The files "were not accessible" because the server was down".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested