it was received

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was received" is a valid and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe a thing or situation that has been given to someone or something. For example: "The package was received by the recipient yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was received well.

The New York Times

"It was received wisdom.

The Guardian

It was received rapturously in the hall.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was received relatively coolly, apparently.

The Economist

It was received very well".

The New York Times

"It was received extraordinarily well.

The Guardian

In patriotic circles it was received with enthusiasm.

The New York Times

But it was received as, in Prescott's words, "very French".

The New Yorker

It was received with immediate and wholehearted enthusiasm.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A senior rebel says it was received "courteously".

The Economist

As Godard had hoped, it was received badly.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was received", ensure the subject and receiver are clear to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "the package was received by the customer" instead of just "it was received."

Common error

Avoid passive constructions where the recipient is unclear. For instance, instead of saying "the email was received", specify who received it to provide clarity and context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was received" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something has undergone the action of being received. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showcasing numerous examples where "it was received" describes the state of an item or message after being delivered.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was received" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive voice construction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to indicate that something has been delivered, acknowledged, or accepted. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, ranging from news reports to academic papers. While generally clear, it's important to specify the receiver to avoid ambiguity. Considering alternatives like "it has been received" or "it was accepted" can add nuance depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has been received

Focuses on the present perfect tense, indicating completion of receiving.

it was accepted

Emphasizes the positive reception or approval of something.

it was delivered

Highlights the action of something being brought or sent to a destination.

it was obtained

Focuses on the act of gaining or acquiring something.

it was attained

Suggests a successful effort to reach or achieve something.

it was collected

Implies a gathering or accumulation of something.

it was taken in

Focuses on understanding or absorbing information.

it met with

Indicates a reaction or response to something.

it garnered

Highlights the gaining of something, often attention or support.

it drew

Suggests attracting or eliciting a particular response or reaction.

FAQs

How can I use "it was received" in a sentence?

You can use "it was received" to indicate that something has been delivered or accepted. For example, "The application was received by the committee last week."

What are some alternatives to "it was received"?

You can use alternatives like "it was accepted", "it was delivered", or "it was obtained" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it was received" or "it has been received"?

Both are correct, but "it has been received" implies a more recent or ongoing state of having been received, while "it was received" refers to a completed action in the past.

What does "it was received" mean in a formal context?

In a formal context, "it was received" indicates that a document, message, or item has been formally acknowledged or registered. For instance, "The proposal was received by the board on Monday."