I was recently given

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was recently given" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that was provided to you in the near past, such as a gift, information, or an opportunity. Example: "I was recently given a promotion at work, and I'm excited about the new challenges ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I was recently given António Lobo Antunes's "The Land at the End of the World" as a gift.

The New York Times - Books

I was recently given two miserable (and tough) small slices of aubergine as a substitute – on a set menu – for the chicken served to everyone else.

Independent

Allison Nakano, a Master's student at Brandeis International Business School, finds herself in the middle of anti-government protests in Istanbul I WAS recently given the opportunity, alongside 29 fellow students, to take a week-long business and economics immersion trip to Turkey and Azerbaijan.

The Economist

I was recently given a Fortnum & Mason portable barbecue as a Father's Day gift, and it's great for picnics – but those disposable barbecues are pretty decent too, and you can now get stands for them which make them look a bit more aesthetically appealing.

Independent

Another example: I was recently given an Xbox One for Christmas (no Kinect) and it's a powerful gaming machine.

TechCrunch

I was recently given a quote from Pablo Picasso that read, "The meaning of life is to discover your gift.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

I was recently giving a True Face workshop in a high school and one of the girls said that her dream was to become an actor but her parents were really against this because acting success can be really hard to achieve and financially unstable.

The Guardian

I want President Bernie Sanders, who was recently given the Congressional Award by the VFW and stated on CNN that "I'll be damned" if he sends more Americans back to the Middle East as president.

Huffington Post

As one who was recently given the one-to-one Cameron treatment put it: "I am not going to help someone who does not understand Europe".

Independent

He was recently given a diagnosis of a mood disorder.

The New York Times

Morris was recently given immunity so that he can testify against Connolly, who has been indicted.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was recently given" when you want to emphasize the act of receiving something, whether tangible or intangible, from an external source. This phrasing highlights the giver and the gift.

Common error

Avoid using "I was recently given" when you want to express your own active achievement or effort. In such cases, phrases like "I recently earned" or "I recently achieved" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was recently given" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (I) received something from an unspecified giver. This construction is often used to emphasize the received item or opportunity rather than the giver. Ludwig confirms the correct usage of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was recently given" is a grammatically sound and neutrally registered phrase used to indicate that the speaker received something in the near past. According to Ludwig, this passive voice construction emphasizes the receipt rather than the giver, and it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. Related phrases include "I recently received" and "I was recently awarded", offering alternative ways to express a similar idea with slight variations in formality and emphasis. While generally acceptable, it's important to avoid using this phrase when you want to highlight your own active effort or achievement. The phrase is a reliable way to express receipt of something, as affirmed by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I recently received

Replaces "given" with the direct synonym "received", maintaining the same meaning.

I was recently presented with

Highlights the act of someone formally offering or handing over something.

I was recently handed

Emphasizes the direct act of receiving something from someone.

I was recently awarded

Suggests a formal recognition or prize was received, adding a connotation of merit.

I recently obtained

Indicates effort or process was involved in acquiring something.

I recently acquired

Implies gaining possession of something, possibly through purchase or effort.

I recently came into possession of

Formal way of saying someone received something, emphasizes the transfer of ownership.

I recently got

Informal way of saying someone received something.

I recently had bestowed upon me

Formal and somewhat archaic way of saying something was given, emphasizing the giver's generosity.

I recently experienced

Broadly indicates a recent event or occurrence, which could include receiving something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I was recently given"?

You can use alternatives like "I recently received", "I was recently awarded", or "I recently obtained" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I was recently given"?

Yes, "I was recently given" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate that you received something in the near past.

What is the difference between "I was recently given" and "I recently got"?

"I was recently given" is more formal and emphasizes the act of giving, while "I recently got" is more informal and focuses on the acquisition.

How to use "I was recently given" in a sentence?

Use "I was recently given" to introduce something you received, such as "I was recently given a book as a gift" or "I was recently given the opportunity to lead the project".