Receive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Receive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of getting or accepting something, such as information, a message, or an object. Example: "Please confirm that you will receive the package by tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And in the meantime the authorities should grant him temporary release so that he can receive the medical treatment that he so urgently needs".

The Guardian

One voter chosen at random will receive £150 worth of gift vouchers for Nigel's Eco Store.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On receipt of your application, you will receive an electronic confirmation.

The Guardian

Writers who successfully complete the course will receive a successful completion certificate from UEA, which will be made on the basis of ongoing assessment and a final submission of at least 10,000 words.

The Guardian

The project with the most votes will be awarded £1,000 of funding, and two runners-up will each receive funding of £500.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It will then move to report stage and will then receive a third reading before moving to the House of Lords.

The Guardian

Join the Guardian Public Leaders Network free to receive regular emails on the issues at the top of the professional agenda.

The Guardian

Gisby was earmarked to receive a bonus of up to £371,000, but Network Rail said he would be leaving in February without any additional payment beyond that stipulated in his contract.

The Guardian - Business

Keep up with the latest on Guardian Students: follow us on Twitter at @GdnStudents – and become a member to receive exclusive benefits and our weekly newsletter.

The Guardian

Sign up to the Healthcare Professionals Network – for free – to receive weekly email updates on policy and best practice in the sector, as well as exclusive offers.

The Guardian

We will not be able to refund you where we did not receive your notice 7 days before the start of the Guardian Masterclass (regardless of when you sent it).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "receive" to indicate a formal or passive acceptance of something. For instance, use "receive a letter" instead of "get a letter" in formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "receive" in highly informal or casual conversations where simpler alternatives like "get" or "take" would be more appropriate. Overusing "receive" can make your language sound unnecessarily stilted.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "receive" is as a transitive verb, indicating the action of taking or accepting something offered or sent. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is grammatically correct. Examples show it used in contexts ranging from receiving medical treatment to receiving funding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "receive" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb, signifying the act of getting or accepting something. As per Ludwig AI, it's deemed correct for written English and is versatile across various scenarios, ranging from the receipt of physical items to abstract concepts such as treatment or funding. Analysis indicates that it is very common, with prominence in news and media, formal and business, and scientific contexts. When aiming for simpler language, alternatives such as "accept", "obtain", or "get" might be more suitable, particularly in informal settings. However, using the word "receive" enhances formality and precision in professional or official communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Accept

Focuses on the voluntary agreement to take something offered.

Be given

Passive construction emphasizing that something is provided by someone else.

Obtain

Implies effort or action to get something.

Acquire

Suggests gaining possession of something, often over time.

Get

A more informal way to say "receive".

Take

Emphasizes the act of taking something into one's possession.

Collect

Refers to gathering or accumulating something.

Experience

Highlights undergoing or feeling something.

Undergo

Suggests being subjected to something, often something challenging.

Encounter

Implies meeting or facing something, often unexpectedly.

FAQs

How to use "receive" in a sentence?

You can use "receive" to describe the act of getting or accepting something, such as "I will receive the package tomorrow" or "She received an award for her work".

What can I say instead of "receive"?

You can use alternatives like "accept", "obtain", or "get" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "receive" or "recieve"?

"Receive" is the correct spelling. "Recieve" is a common misspelling.

What's the difference between "receive" and "accept"?

"Receive" generally means to take something offered or sent, while "accept" implies a voluntary agreement to take something. You might receive a bill, but you accept a gift.