a response was received

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a response was received" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that a reply or answer has been obtained, often in formal or professional communication. Example: "After sending out the survey, I can confirm that a response was received from the majority of participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Of the 235 units contacted, a response was received from 98 (42%).

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

A response was received from 235 invited members of the consumer support group POSAA (response rate of 91.1%).

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

7 A response was received from 101 practitioners; the survey did not specify whether the responses were from different clinics.

BMJ Open

The authors did not respond for two studies 15 17 and in another study 20 a response was received but some details remained unclear.

BMJ Open

The main explanatory variable was whether a response was received without a reminder, following the first reminder, or following the second reminder.

BMC Health Services Research

We followed this with reminder postcards, a second (identical) letter and questionnaire, and a maximum of three follow-up phone calls at intervals of approximately 2 weeks until a response was received, ultimately yielding 1,161 responses (60%).

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Until a response is received and logged in by IRS personnel, the machine will control the process.

Forbes

If a response is received the store is updated; if no response is received and the timeout is met, either the request is resent or the user is alerted of a failure.

Journal of Cloud Computing: Advances, Systems and Applications

This post will be updated if and when a response is received.

Huffington Post

We have reached out to Hiddleston's rep and will update the post if and when a response is received.

Huffington Post

HuffPost has reached out to Hawkins and her family and will update when a response is received.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a response was received", ensure the context clearly indicates who sent the response and what prompted it for clarity.

Common error

Ensure that the sentence specifies from whom the response was received, as overuse of passive voice without clear attribution can make the meaning unclear. For example, instead of just stating "a response was received", clarify "a response was received from the customer".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a response was received" functions as a passive construction, typically used to indicate that a reply or answer has been obtained. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a response was received" is a grammatically sound phrase useful for indicating that an answer or reply has been obtained. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, especially within scientific, news, and business contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the source of the response and consider using active voice for directness. Alternatives include "a reply was obtained" or the more informal "we heard back". The passive construction is appropriate in formal settings but should be used judiciously to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A reply was obtained

Uses "reply" instead of "response" and "obtained" instead of "received", altering the specific vocabulary while maintaining the core meaning.

Feedback was provided

Replaces "response" with "feedback" and "received" with "provided", focusing on the nature of the reply as input or information.

An answer was given

Substitutes "response" with "answer" and "received" with "given", changing the action implied in the sentence.

Communication was established

Focuses on the establishment of communication rather than the receipt of a specific response.

We heard back

An idiomatic alternative, less formal, that means a response was received.

Acknowledgement was secured

Uses more formal and assertive language, emphasizing the securing of acknowledgement.

The message was answered

This variation places emphasis on the message itself being answered, shifting the focus slightly from the receiver.

A reaction ensued

Highlights that a reaction followed, although doesn't directly imply that a response was 'received' in a traditional sense.

The inquiry was addressed

Specifically implies that an inquiry was handled or answered, providing a narrower context.

There was a rejoinder

Implies a reply, usually in a debate or discussion, which is a more specific context than a general response.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a response was received" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "a reply was obtained" or "the communication was acknowledged".

What's a less formal way to say "a response was received"?

In less formal contexts, you might say "we heard back" or "got a reply".

Is it always necessary to specify who sent the response when saying "a response was received"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the source of the response often adds clarity and context to the statement. Consider adding information if it enhances understanding.

What is the difference between "a response was received" and "we received a response"?

"A response was received" uses passive voice, focusing on the action rather than the actor. "We received a response" is in active voice, emphasizing who received the response and is generally more direct.