access
access — noun
1. a route or means by which you can reach a place, room, or person — for example,
a route or means by which you can reach a place, room, or person — for example, a side door into a garden or a path leading up to a cabin.
The only access to the old farmhouse is a narrow dirt road behind the hill.
access to + place
Wheelchair access to the library is through the side entrance on Maple Street.
wheelchair access (collocation)
Reporters were denied access to the prime minister after the press conference.
Heavy snow blocked access to the mountain village for almost a week.
There is no easy access to the beach from this side of the cliff.
文法句型
access to + place/person
用法筆記
Almost always uncountable and followed by 'to' plus a place or person. Common modifiers describe how easy or restricted the route is: easy, direct, restricted, denied, blocked.
常見錯誤
2. permission, freedom, or a real chance to use something such as information, a se
permission, freedom, or a real chance to use something such as information, a service, or money — for instance, being allowed to read a private file or to spend money in a joint bank account.
Only senior managers have access to the salary records of every employee.
have access to + information
Many children in rural villages still lack access to clean drinking water.
lack access to + resource
The hotel offers free access to its swimming pool and gym for guests.
After the divorce, Mr. Lin was given access to his children every other weekend.
Students need a password to gain access to the online textbook.
- permission
highlights official approval; less about practical capability
- use
more general; doesn't carry the sense of being granted by someone
- entry
used for clubs, schools, or programmes where you need to be admitted
文法句型
access to + thing/information/service
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about the right or opportunity to USE or BENEFIT FROM something, not about a physical route. Often paired with 'have', 'gain', 'lack', 'grant', 'limit'.
常見錯誤
access — verb
1. to manage to enter a building, room, or area, often when getting in is difficult
to manage to enter a building, room, or area, often when getting in is difficult or restricted.
Firefighters could not access the burning warehouse from the front entrance.
access + place (restricted entry)
Visitors can only access the rooftop garden by taking the staff lift.
access + place + by + means
Engineers had to access the underground tunnel through a small hatch in the floor.
Tourists are not allowed to access the ancient burial chambers without a guide.
文法句型
access + place
用法筆記
Sounds formal or technical; in everyday speech, 'get into' or 'reach' is more natural. Subject is often emergency workers, staff, or anyone facing a barrier.
常見錯誤
2. to manage to use a service, resource, or benefit — for example, drawing money fr
to manage to use a service, resource, or benefit — for example, drawing money from a savings account or signing up for free legal advice.
Customers can access their savings at any branch of the bank across the country.
access + resource (money)
Older people often struggle to access the welfare benefits they are entitled to.
access + service (benefits)
Patients in this district can access free dental care through the local clinic.
Many small farmers cannot easily access loans from major banks.
文法句型
access + service/resource
用法筆記
Object is typically an abstract resource: a service, benefit, fund, market, or piece of help. Distinguish from sense 1, which takes a physical place as object.
常見錯誤
3. to open a file, website, app, or online account on a computer or phone so that y
to open a file, website, app, or online account on a computer or phone so that you can read it or change what is inside.
You can access your email from any device after signing in with your password.
access + account (computing)
Hackers tried to access the company's customer database last weekend.
access + database (security context)
Sara could not access the shared folder because the network was down.
Please log in with your student ID to access the online library.
The app lets parents access their children's school grades on a phone.
文法句型
access + file/website/account
用法筆記
Object is a digital thing: file, folder, website, app, account, database. Often paired with 'log in', 'sign in', 'click', or 'tap'. The action usually involves authentication.