receive

USAGE SUMMARY

'receive' is an appropriate and usable word in written English.
You can use it when something is given to or sent to someone. For example: She received a bouquet of flowers from her mother on her birthday.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And in the meantime the authorities should grant him temporary release so that he can receive the medical treatment that he so urgently needs".

The Guardian

One voter chosen at random will receive £150 worth of gift vouchers for Nigel's Eco Store.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On receipt of your application, you will receive an electronic confirmation.

The Guardian

Writers who successfully complete the course will receive a successful completion certificate from UEA, which will be made on the basis of ongoing assessment and a final submission of at least 10,000 words.

The Guardian

The project with the most votes will be awarded £1,000 of funding, and two runners-up will each receive funding of £500.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It will then move to report stage and will then receive a third reading before moving to the House of Lords.

The Guardian

Join the Guardian Public Leaders Network free to receive regular emails on the issues at the top of the professional agenda.

The Guardian

Gisby was earmarked to receive a bonus of up to £371,000, but Network Rail said he would be leaving in February without any additional payment beyond that stipulated in his contract.

The Guardian - Business

Keep up with the latest on Guardian Students: follow us on Twitter at @GdnStudents – and become a member to receive exclusive benefits and our weekly newsletter.

The Guardian

Sign up to the Healthcare Professionals Network – for free – to receive weekly email updates on policy and best practice in the sector, as well as exclusive offers.

The Guardian

We will not be able to refund you where we did not receive your notice 7 days before the start of the Guardian Masterclass (regardless of when you sent it).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, "receive" provides a more professional tone than alternatives like "get". It is particularly useful in business communications, academic papers, and official reports.

Common error

While both words relate to taking something, "receive" simply means to get something, whereas "accept" implies a voluntary agreement or approval. For instance, you "receive" a letter, but you "accept" a gift or an offer.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "receive" is as a transitive verb, indicating the action of taking or acquiring something that is offered, given, or sent. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "receive" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of getting something, whether tangible or intangible. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts. This guide provides insights into its proper usage, common errors, and effective alternatives. With a strong presence in news media and formal business communications, mastering "receive" enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Get

A more general and informal way of saying "receive".

Be given

Highlights the passive nature of receiving, where someone else does the giving.

Obtain

Focuses more on the effort or action taken to get something.

Accept

Emphasizes the willingness to take what is offered.

Acquire

Suggests gaining possession of something, often through purchase or effort.

Gain

Implies effort or a process leading to receiving something.

Take delivery of

Specifically refers to the act of accepting something that has been delivered.

Come into possession of

A more formal way of saying "receive", implying ownership.

Experience

In some contexts, "experience" can be used instead of "receive" to denote undergoing something.

Encounter

Similar to "experience", but often implies something unexpected or challenging.

FAQs

How to use "receive" in a sentence?

You can use "receive" to indicate the act of getting something. For example, "She will receive the award next week" or "Did you receive my email?".

What can I say instead of "receive"?

You can use alternatives like "obtain", "acquire", or "get" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "receive" or "recieve"?

"Receive" is the correct spelling. "Recieve" is a common misspelling due to the unusual 'ei' combination following 'c'.

What's the difference between "receive" and "accept"?

"Receive" means to get something, while "accept" implies a voluntary agreement or approval. You "receive" a package, but you "accept" an invitation.