Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
a message was received
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "a message was received" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a communication or notification has been successfully received, often in contexts related to technology or communication. Example: "After sending the email, I received a notification that a message was received by the server."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
8 human-written examples
If a message was received, "an ongoing problem" could be open to wide interpretation.
News & Media
The 12 men, ranging from 19 to 48 years old, were arrested late Friday after a message was received from the Dutch intelligence and security service, the Dutch prosecutors said in a statement.
News & Media
Message Bus is replacing the old school approach where senders simply hope a message was received to a data driven approach where we actively manage the relationship between senders and recipients.
News & Media
About 05 30 heavy fire was heard from Oghratina, and a message was received half an hour later that an attack had been repulsed.
Wiki
The following day at 07:00, a message was received at Port St . Georgeon Lissa warning that another French convoy had been sighted close to the island.
Wiki
Meanwhile Göring had ordered a second bombardment of the city a group of Heinkels had already left to be carried out unless a message was received that the whole of Rotterdam was occupied.
Wiki
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
52 human-written examples
Blind rebroadcasting causes a node to rebroadcast every time a message is received.
When a message is received, each component might need to change.
Science
When a message is received on the wearer's cell phone, the watch glows and vibrates.
News & Media
Likewise, when a message is received, Siri will read the content.
News & Media
In order to address the notion of belief manipulation, we need to be explicit about the way that an agent's beliefs change when a message is received.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "a message was received" when you want to emphasize the passive nature of receiving the message, rather than who sent it. It is suitable for formal and neutral contexts.
Common error
Avoid using "a message was received" when the active voice is more appropriate or direct. For example, instead of "a message was received by me", use "I received a message" for a more concise and impactful sentence.
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "a message was received" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a message has been successfully delivered. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It emphasizes the action of receiving rather than the sender, making it suitable for scenarios where the receiver's perspective is more relevant.
Frequent in
Science
30%
News & Media
30%
Wiki
15%
Less common in
Formal & Business
15%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "a message was received" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, that indicates the successful delivery of a communication. It is most commonly found in scientific, news, and media contexts. While not as frequent as its active voice counterpart, it is appropriate when the focus is on the receipt of the message rather than the sender. Consider using alternatives such as "the message arrived" or "the communication was delivered" for varying emphasis. Pay attention to the context to determine whether the active or passive voice is more suitable for clarity and impact.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
the message arrived
Focuses on the arrival of the message rather than the act of receiving.
the communication was delivered
Emphasizes the delivery aspect of the communication process.
receipt of the message was confirmed
Highlights the confirmation of the message's receipt.
the information was conveyed successfully
Focuses on the successful conveyance of information.
the signal was acknowledged
Used when the message is a signal requiring acknowledgment.
we got the message
A more informal way of saying the message was understood or received.
the notification came through
Describes a notification being successfully received.
the directive was transmitted and secured
Emphasizes transmission and security of the directive.
the dispatch was successfully processed
Highlights the dispatch and its successful processing.
the alert has been sounded
Relates to an alert or warning being received and acknowledged.
FAQs
How can I use "a message was received" in a sentence?
You can use "a message was received" to indicate that a communication or notification has been successfully delivered to someone. For example: "After the update, "a message was received" confirming the installation was successful."
What can I say instead of "a message was received"?
You can use alternatives like "the message arrived", "the communication was delivered", or "receipt of the message was confirmed", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey. See more "alternatives here".
Which is correct, "a message was received" or "a message has been received"?
Both "a message was received" and "a message has been received" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "A message was received" indicates a completed action in the past, while "a message has been received" suggests that the action has relevance to the present. Choose the option that fits better the context you are describing.
What's the difference between "a message was received" and "the message was received"?
The difference lies in specificity. "A message was received" implies one of many possible messages, while "the message was received" refers to a specific, previously mentioned message. For example: "I was expecting an email, and finally "the message was received"."
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested