I have received

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I have received" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you have gotten something, such as a message, package, or information. Example: "I have received your email and will respond shortly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have received several complaints about this.

The New York Times

I have received no reply.

The New York Times

Yes, I have received death threats.

The Guardian - Opinion

I have received death threats before.

The Guardian

I have received your letter of today.

The New York Times

Seventy days on, I have received nothing.

The Guardian - Money

I have received samples of the products.

Harvard University

I have received 17 U.S. patents.

Princeton University

So far, I have received no reply.

The Guardian

I have received death threats as well.

The Guardian - Opinion

Since then I have received nothing.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I have received", ensure the context clearly indicates what was received and from whom, if relevant. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice when it weakens the sentence. Instead of "A letter has been received by me", use "I have received a letter" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I have received" functions as a declarative statement indicating that the speaker has obtained something. Ludwig's examples show its usage in various contexts, from receiving emails to death threats.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I have received" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to convey the act of obtaining something. Ludwig AI highlights that the phrase is prevalent across varied sources, particularly in news, academic, and business contexts. While universally understood, slight modifications, like using synonyms such as “obtained” or restructuring the sentence, can refine the message for different levels of formality or emphasis. It's essential to consider the context to ensure the most appropriate expression is used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I have obtained

Replaces "received" with a more formal synonym, "obtained".

I have gotten

Uses the more informal "gotten" in place of "received".

I was given

Shifts the focus to the giver rather than the receiver.

I have been sent

Specifically indicates that something was sent to the speaker.

I am in receipt of

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying "I have received".

I'm the recipient of

Emphasizes the role of being the receiver.

I acknowledge receipt of

Emphasizes the act of acknowledging that something has been received.

I am the beneficiary of

Highlights that there is a gift or favour, something that you are happy of.

I possess

Highlights the current state of having something.

I hold

Implies a temporary state of having something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I have received"?

You can use alternatives like "I have obtained", "I have gotten", or "I was given" depending on the context.

How to use "I have received" in a sentence?

Use "I have received" followed by the specific item or information you obtained, e.g., "I have received your email" or "I have received positive feedback".

Which is correct, "I have received" or "I received"?

Both are correct, but "I have received" (present perfect) emphasizes the ongoing relevance or consequence of receiving something, while "I received" (simple past) refers to a completed action in the past.

What's the difference between "I have received" and "I am receiving"?

"I have received" indicates that something has already been obtained. "I am receiving" indicates that something is currently in the process of being obtained or is being obtained regularly.