he received that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he received that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone obtaining or being given something, often in a context where the specific item or information is understood from prior discussion. Example: "After the meeting, he received that important document that we had discussed earlier."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

In November, 2011, he received that year's Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award.

The New Yorker

He then turned somber, telling the audience about a phone call he received that morning.

The New York Times

She added: "It is quite clear he enjoyed the attention he received that day".

The Guardian - Sport

Ambassador at large for UNICEF from 1969 until his death, he received that organization's Medal for Distinguished Service in 1993.

Britannica

"Auburn fans know that it should not have been the only championship trophy he received that year".

The New York Times - Sports

A young Cornell friend has just sent along a form letter he received that goes, "We would like to take this opportunity to express our….

The New Yorker

Shortly after he received that rejection, a succession of Harvard officials called to say that the decision had been a mistake.

The New Yorker

He received that advice from Watson, who has been adjusting to his instant fame while in the grip of a slump since his Masters victory.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

He had been agonizing too over a cold email he had received that morning.

Vice

That would be before he even received that supposedly worthless degree.

The New York Times

Walking outside the barracks, Sergeant Williams mentioned an overture he had received that morning.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he received that", ensure the context clearly indicates what "that" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and maintains clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "he received that" without a clear antecedent for "that". Ensure your audience understands exactly what was received to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he received that" functions as a statement indicating the act of obtaining or being given something. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable. Examples in Ludwig highlight contexts ranging from awards to information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Huffington Post

8%

Vice

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he received that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate someone obtaining something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely found in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Academia. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure that the reference to "that" is clear to avoid any ambiguity. While suitable for many situations, more formal alternatives may be considered depending on the writing context, and it's more authoritative sources are The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Guardian, Huffington Post, and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he got that

More informal way of saying "he received that".

he was given that

Rephrases the sentence in the passive voice, emphasizing the giver.

he obtained that

Suggests an active effort to acquire something.

that was given to him

Focuses on the action of giving rather than receiving.

that came to him

Emphasizes the arrival or attainment of something.

that was awarded to him

Specifically refers to receiving an award or honor.

he was the recipient of that

More formal and emphasizes the role of receiver.

he was granted that

Suggests a formal or official conferral.

he had that bestowed upon him

Emphasizes a formal or ceremonial act of giving.

that was conferred on him

Highlights the official or formal nature of the reception.

FAQs

How can I use "he received that" in a sentence?

The phrase "he received that" is used to indicate that someone was given or obtained something. For example, "After submitting his application, "he received that" scholarship he had been hoping for".

What are some alternatives to "he received that"?

Alternatives include "he was given that", "he obtained that", or "that was awarded to him", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "he received that" or "that was given to him"?

Both "he received that" and "that was given to him" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the receiver or the giver of the action.

How formal is the phrase "he received that"?

The phrase "he received that" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might consider alternatives like "he was the recipient of that".