were not secured

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not secured" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not made safe, fixed, or guaranteed in a past context. Example: "The documents were not secured in the safe, leading to a potential security breach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Part two of this story will probably involve kidnapping him, locking him in a basement, and liveblogging his emails — which were not secured because Apple doesn't have a security feature to auto-lock and wipe phones when someone is hit over the head by a two-by-four.

TechCrunch

The question of why these explosives were not secured at the time of the United States invasion is more troubling.

The New York Times

The company said its rates were not secured on the property, so cannot be compared with rates arranged for or alongside mortgages, which would be cheaper.

The Guardian

The concrete barriers in the street — known as K-rails — were not secured to the ground then, and scattered like dominoes.

The New York Times

The Galatasaray striker Eren Derdiyok put the hosts ahead in Lucerne with a close-range finish before the half-hour but the points were not secured until the captain, Stephan Lichsteiner, headed home with seven minutes remaining.

The Guardian - Sport

They have set up a telephone hot line and have received about 1,000 complaints of voting problems, mostly in Milwaukee, including cases where identification was not checked and ballots were not secured.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Most paintings weren't secured to walls.

The New York Times - Books

Even so, the succession was not secured.

The Guardian

The crime scene was not secured.

The Guardian - Travel

Still, the victory was not secured until the buzzer.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Esposito's safety harness was not secured.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a past situation where security was lacking, use "were not secured" to clearly convey that something was not made safe or protected. For example, "The files "were not secured", leading to a data breach."

Common error

Avoid using "were not secured" when a different verb phrase more accurately describes the situation. For instance, instead of saying "The agreement "were not secured"," consider "The agreement was not finalized" if the issue is completion rather than safety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not secured" functions as a passive construction indicating the absence of security measures or protection in a past context. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Examples show its use across diverse situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

22%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were not secured" effectively communicates a lack of safety or protection in a past context. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in writing. Its occurrence is common across various domains, particularly in news media, where it often describes security failures or vulnerabilities. While alternatives like "were unsecured" or "were unprotected" can be used, "were not secured" offers a clear and direct way to convey that essential safety measures were absent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were unsecured

This alternative directly replaces "not secured" with its antonym, emphasizing the absence of security measures.

were vulnerable

Highlights the susceptibility to harm or attack due to the lack of security.

were unprotected

Highlights the vulnerability and lack of defense against potential threats.

were unguarded

Emphasizes the absence of watchfulness or surveillance, suitable for discussing locations or assets.

had no protection

Similar to 'were unprotected', emphasizing the complete absence of protective measures.

were unfastened

Focuses on the lack of physical fastening or attachment, suitable when discussing objects or connections.

lacked security

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the absence of security as a characteristic.

were not guaranteed

Shifts the focus to a lack of assurance or certainty, applicable to outcomes or promises.

were at risk

Indicates a state of potential danger or harm, emphasizing the possible negative consequences.

were in jeopardy

Similar to 'were at risk', but suggests a more serious or imminent threat.

FAQs

How can I use "were not secured" in a sentence?

Use "were not secured" to describe a situation in the past where something lacked protection or safety measures. For example: "The perimeters "were not secured", which allowed intruders to enter."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "were not secured"?

Some alternatives include "were unsecured", "were unprotected", or "were vulnerable", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was not secured" instead of "were not secured"?

No, "was not secured" is used for singular subjects, while "were not secured" is used for plural subjects. For example: "The door was not secured" (singular) versus "The doors "were not secured"" (plural).

What does it mean when something "were not secured"?

It signifies that something lacked necessary measures for safety, protection, or stability. This could range from physical objects not being fastened properly to data not being adequately protected from unauthorized access.