had once received

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had once received" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was received at a specific time in the past, often implying that it is no longer the case. Example: "She had once received an award for her outstanding performance, but she has since moved on to new challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Soon after, Ms. Fitzgerald said, the accolades she had once received from management became criticism.

The New York Times

He told the court that he had been trained in Libya and had once received money from Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi for "medical expenses".

The New York Times

"One misconception is that we want some kind of liberal movement for women," she said, adding that she had once received a death threat from another female lawmaker.

The New York Times

Last June, Mr. Mattioli told The Philadelphia Inquirer that he had once received a $400 million offer to buy the track, but had refused it.

The New York Times

The bank said the reduction had left at least two million people in Mexico without the same financial help they had once received.

The New York Times

He said in an interview that he had once received $10,000 in a "wad of cash" for a trip to Europe.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

(Disclosure: I fall into this category, having once received a letter of termination after less than six months in a job because of a corporate takeover).

The New York Times

And a third is said to have once received an investment from Omar Abdel Rahman, the so-called blind sheik, who is now serving a life sentence for a terrorism plot.

The New York Times

Although his mezuza was heavily camouflaged in what he described as a "lovely institutional beige" hallway tone, he spotted it immediately upon moving in, having once received a mezuza necklace from a college sweetheart.

The New York Times

On the road, they encounter another bounty hunter: Major Marquis Warren, a Unionist veteran with an unhappy war record, but proud of having once received a personal letter from Abraham Lincoln, a document he keeps on his person at all times.

The Guardian - Film

Forty-one (28%) of the diabetic and 192 (27%) of hypertensive patients were aware of their condition and declared having once received treatment in another facility, but none was under medical treatment at the moment they were diagnosed by the NPCs.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had once received" to clearly indicate that something was received at a specific point in the past, especially when contrasting it with the present situation.

Common error

Avoid using "had once received" repetitively in a single text. Overusing 'once' can make your writing sound redundant. Instead, vary your language and consider using synonyms like "previously" or "formerly" to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had once received" functions as a past perfect verb phrase. It indicates an action of receiving that was completed before another point in the past. Ludwig shows its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had once received" is a grammatically correct and useful way to describe a past event where something was received, often implying that the situation has since changed. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase appears in various contexts, including news, science and wiki sources. While not exceedingly common, it adds depth and context by contrasting a previous condition with the current one. To avoid redundancy, vary your language and consider using synonyms like "previously" or "formerly". This phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal writing, depending on the overall tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had previously received

Emphasizes that the reception occurred at an earlier, unspecified time.

had formerly received

Highlights that the reception occurred in the past, suggesting a previous state or condition.

had at one time received

Indicates the reception happened during a certain period in the past.

had earlier received

Implies the reception happened at an earlier point, often in relation to another event.

had been given before

Uses passive voice and emphasizes the act of giving something in the past.

had been awarded previously

Highlights the granting of an award or recognition at an earlier time.

once possessed

Changes the focus from receiving to possessing something at a prior time.

had once been the recipient of

Formal and emphasizes the state of being a receiver in the past.

had been presented with

Focuses on the act of presenting or offering something in the past.

had enjoyed in the past

Implies the reception led to enjoyment during an earlier period.

FAQs

How can I use "had once received" in a sentence?

Use "had once received" to describe something someone obtained in the past that may no longer be the case. For example: "She "had once received" an award for her work."

What are some alternatives to "had once received"?

You can use alternatives such as "had previously received", "had formerly received", or "had at one time received" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "had once received" and "had received"?

"Had received" simply indicates that something was received in the past. "Had once received" implies that the receiving happened at a particular time and may no longer be relevant or ongoing.

Can "had once received" be used in formal writing?

Yes, ""had once received"" is appropriate for formal writing. However, ensure the context aligns with the phrase's implication of a past event that may have changed.