were secured

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were secured" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are indicating that something was obtained or made safe in the past. Example: "The necessary funds were secured to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some concessions were secured.

The Guardian - Arts

All files were secured by early March.

Stanford University

The loans were secured with nothing.

The New York Times

Most loans were secured by land and rolled over perpetually.

The New York Times

The prison gates, he'd noticed, were secured with Yale locks.

The New Yorker

Hotel and B&B rooms were secured, theater tickets bought.

The New York Times - Travel

Many of the documents requested by the F.B.I. were secured.

The New York Times

All the officer positions were secured by moderates.

The Guardian - Opinion

The electrodes were secured to the skull with dental cement.

Nature

Loans and declarations of "profound friendship" were secured.

The Economist

The remaining 10% were secured by their local authority on criminal justice grounds.

Children and Youth Services Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were secured", ensure the context clearly indicates whether something was made safe, obtained, or fastened. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "were secured" when a simpler verb like "obtained" or "fastened" would be more direct. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were secured" functions as the passive past tense of the verb 'secure'. It indicates that something was acted upon to be made safe, obtained, or fastened. Ludwig examples show it being used in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

34%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were secured" is a versatile and grammatically correct construction that functions as the past passive tense of the verb 'secure'. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, most commonly in scientific and news-related writing. The phrase indicates that something was made safe, obtained, or fastened in the past. While generally neutral to formal in tone, it's important to ensure the context clarifies the specific meaning intended to avoid ambiguity. Remember to choose simpler alternatives like "were obtained" or "were fastened" when appropriate to maintain clarity and conciseness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were obtained

Emphasizes the act of gaining or acquiring something.

were acquired

Highlights the process of coming into possession of something, often through effort.

were attained

Focuses on achieving a goal or reaching a desired state.

were fastened

Specifically refers to the act of fixing or attaching something securely.

were protected

Stresses the safeguarding of something from harm or danger.

were ensured

Implies making certain that something will happen or be the case.

were guaranteed

Suggests a formal assurance that something is safe or will occur.

were made safe

Focuses on the process of rendering something free from danger.

were safeguarded

Emphasizes the act of protecting something valuable or important.

were finalized

Highlights the completion and securement of an agreement or arrangement.

FAQs

How can I use "were secured" in a sentence?

Use "were secured" to indicate that something was obtained, made safe, or fastened. For example, "The funding "were secured" for the project" or "The prisoners "were secured" in their cells".

What are some alternatives to "were secured"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "were obtained", "were protected", or "were fastened".

Is it better to say "were secured" or "was secured"?

Use "were secured" when referring to plural subjects. Use "was secured" for singular subjects. For example, "The documents were secured" (plural) versus "The document was secured" (singular).

What's the difference between "were secured" and "were ensured"?

"Were secured" implies that something was made safe, obtained, or fastened. "Were ensured" means that something was made certain or guaranteed. The choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.