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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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have been received

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

'have been received' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something has been received at a previous point in time. For example, "I am glad to confirm that your payment has been received."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No complaints about parties have been received.

News & Media

The New York Times

So far, 3,500 requests for applications have been received.

News & Media

The New York Times

None have been received so far, he said.

News & Media

The New York Times

Some documents have been received only this year.

News & Media

The Guardian

Two allegations of assault have been received by police.

Several billion-dollar share offerings have been received enthusiastically.

News & Media

The Economist

The letter, dated 14 January, does not appear to have been received by the Palace.

News & Media

The Guardian

It could be up to two months before verdicts on all 123 accused have been received.

News & Media

The Guardian

These two events reflect the unease with which genetically engineered foods have been received.

News & Media

The New York Times

"In 2016 to date, 165 complaints have been received with a steady decline since February.

The Post Office officials estimate that 500,000 letters and postcards have been received for him.

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to determine if a more specific synonym for "received" would be more appropriate, such as "obtained", "delivered", or "granted".

Common error

Avoid using "have been received" when the action is ongoing or continuous. Instead, use "are being received" to indicate a continuous action.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been received" functions as the passive voice of the verb "receive" in the present perfect tense. It indicates that an action of receiving has been completed at some point in the past, with relevance to the present. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been received" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to indicate the completion of a receiving action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly employed across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, considering context and potential synonyms can enhance clarity. Common errors, such as incorrect tense usage, should be avoided. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "have been received" in your writing.

FAQs

How can I use "have been received" in a sentence?

You can use "have been received" to indicate that something was received at a point in the past. For example: "The packages "have been received" and stored safely."

What can I say instead of "have been received"?

You can use alternatives like "have been obtained", "have been granted", or "have been delivered" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "have been received" or "has been received"?

"Have been received" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "The packages have been received"), while "has been received" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "The package has been received").

What's the difference between "have been received" and "are being received"?

"Have been received" indicates a completed action in the past, while "are being received" indicates an action that is currently in progress. For example, "The applications "have been received"" (completed), vs. "Applications "are being received" daily" (ongoing).

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: