Was received

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Was received" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something has been accepted or acknowledged, often in a passive construction. Example: "The application was received on Monday and is currently under review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No reply was received.

Independent

No answer was received.

Independent

"It was received well.

The New York Times

Kennedy's death was received.

The New Yorker

That message was received.

The Washington Post

The message was received.

The New Yorker

He was received ecstatically.

The New York Times - Arts

He was received politely.

The Guardian

"It was received wisdom.

The Guardian

It was received very well".

The New York Times

"It was received extraordinarily well.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was received" to indicate that something has been formally accepted or acknowledged, especially in official or professional contexts. For example, "Your application was received and is under review".

Common error

Sometimes, using the active voice is more direct and engaging. Instead of "The email was received by John", consider "John received the email".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was received" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something or someone was the recipient of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct, often used to denote the acceptance, acknowledgment, or delivery of something, making the subject of the sentence the receiver of said action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

31%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Huffington Post

3%

Health & Place

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was received" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed passive verb construction, confirmed by Ludwig AI. It signifies that something has been accepted, acknowledged, or obtained. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and business, maintaining a neutral to professional register. When aiming for clarity and directness in writing, consider whether an active voice construction might serve better. Understanding these nuances allows for more effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Was accepted

Directly indicates agreement or approval.

Was acknowledged

Stresses the recognition or admission of something.

Was welcomed

Indicates a positive and enthusiastic reception.

Was met with

Similar to met with, describing the type of response that something triggered.

Was obtained

Focuses on the action of getting or acquiring something, rather than the reaction to it.

Met with

Describes the reaction or reception something encountered.

Was greeted

Similar to welcomed, but can also be neutral.

Was granted

Highlights the act of permission or approval being given.

Was delivered

Emphasizes the act of something being brought or provided.

Heard back

Suggests a response or reply was obtained.

FAQs

How can I use "Was received" in a sentence?

Use "Was received" to indicate that something has been formally accepted or acknowledged. For example, "The package "was received" in good condition".

What can I say instead of "Was received"?

You can use alternatives like "was accepted", "was acknowledged", or "was obtained" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "Was received"?

While "Was received" is grammatically correct, using an active voice construction like "I received" or "We received" can often make your writing more direct and clear. Choose the voice that best suits the context and your intended emphasis.

What's the difference between "Was received" and "Has been received"?

"Was received" refers to a completed action in the past. "Has been received" indicates an action completed at some point in the past and may have relevance to the present. For example, "The payment "was received" yesterday" versus "Confirmation "has been received" from the bank".