politely received

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "politely received" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe how a message, request, or action was accepted in a courteous manner. Example: "The proposal was politely received by the committee, leading to a constructive discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Thence I returned to Boni, on an invitation, and was most sincerely and politely received.

Cornell University

All the auditioners were politely received, though some more so than others.

The New York Times

Don Juan in Soho, though politely received, only achieved a brief run at the Donmar.

The Guardian

While Mrs. Obama's thoughts on education have been politely received, many foreign politicians' wives have come bearing the same message.

The New York Times

Until the "pause" a junior minister, Anne Milton, an ex-nurse, had been deemed enough for Liverpool where she was politely received on Tuesday.

The Guardian

And whatever blueprint for the party's reform that Jim Murphy, the outgoing leader, produces next month should be politely received and then placed in the file marked "chocolate teapot".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

If your child is old enough to practice politely receive presents, opening them during the party can be a great opportunity to use those skills.

HuffPost

Doesn't look like Assad tossed any bone our way other than politely receiving Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri recently without personally threatening him like he threatened his father.

Huffington Post

He was received politely.

The Guardian

She was received politely but not enthusiastically.

The New York Times

For the most part she was received politely.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to convey a situation where something wasn't rejected outright but also wasn't met with great enthusiasm, "politely received" is a suitable option.

Common error

Avoid using "politely received" when the situation warrants a stronger expression of acceptance or enthusiasm. If there was clear excitement or strong approval, use alternatives like "enthusiastically welcomed" or "highly praised" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "politely received" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating the manner in which something was accepted or acknowledged. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, as seen in examples like "The proposal was politely received by the committee." according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "politely received" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that indicates something was accepted in a courteous manner. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to academia and general writing. While it does not necessarily imply strong enthusiasm, it conveys a level of respect and decorum. Alternatives like "courteously welcomed" or "respectfully acknowledged" can be used to add nuance. However, avoid using "politely received" when a stronger expression of acceptance is warranted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

courteously welcomed

Emphasizes the welcoming aspect with a focus on courtesy.

respectfully acknowledged

Highlights the respect shown in the act of acknowledgment.

graciously accepted

Implies elegance and kindness in the acceptance.

warmly greeted

Focuses on the enthusiastic and friendly nature of the reception.

favorably received

Indicates a positive and approving response.

amiably welcomed

Stresses the friendly and pleasant nature of the welcome.

cordially received

Highlights the sincerity and warmth of the reception.

civilly acknowledged

Focuses on the politeness and decorum of the acknowledgment.

with due respect given

Emphasizes the respect shown in the interaction, though more verbose.

treated with courtesy

Shifts the focus to the treatment received, emphasizing politeness.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "politely received"?

It means that something was accepted or acknowledged in a courteous manner, but without necessarily implying strong enthusiasm or support. It suggests a level of decorum and respect in the reception.

What are some alternatives to saying "politely received"?

You can use alternatives like "courteously welcomed", "respectfully acknowledged", or "graciously accepted" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "politely received" a formal or informal expression?

"Politely received" is suitable for both formal and semi-formal contexts. It conveys a sense of decorum that is appropriate in professional or academic settings.

How does "politely received" differ from "enthusiastically received"?

"Politely received" implies a courteous but possibly lukewarm reception, whereas "enthusiastically received" indicates a strong and positive response. The key difference lies in the level of excitement and approval conveyed.