receive a check

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "receive a check" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of getting a payment or reimbursement in the form of a check. Example: "After submitting my expense report, I was pleased to receive a check in the mail for my travel expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The winner will receive a check for about $1,600.

The New York Times

The winner of the "83% Fat-free" contest will receive a check for $83,000.

The New Yorker

Customers who qualify will receive a check for $2 or $2.50 for every therm they save in a year.

The New York Times

Traditionally, vendors would bill the company and often receive a check a month or more after the fact.

The New York Times

If the borrower fully repaid the loan at $400,000, he would receive a check for $50,000.

The New York Times

Last year, Nix was delighted to receive a check in the mail for the Child Tax Credit.

The New Yorker

AuctionDrop will keep $182.20, eBay will get $16.60 and Mr. Strohlein will receive a check for $382.20.

The New York Times

New subscribers who own a Dreamcast machine will receive a check for $200 from Sega and a keyboard.

The New York Times - Tech

Students who have not established direct deposit receive a check mailed to the mailing address as recorded in Axess.

Stanford University

Students should expect to receive a check from Harvard Financial Services approximately four weeks after receipts are submitted.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I ultimately receive a check-back from the floor manager.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "receive a check", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for receiving the check (e.g., payment, reimbursement, settlement).

Common error

Avoid using "receive a check" when you mean to say someone is sending a check. "Receive" indicates the action of getting, not giving.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "receive a check" functions as a verb phrase where "receive" is the main verb and "a check" is the direct object. It describes the action of getting a check as a form of payment or compensation. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

22%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "receive a check" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the action of getting a check as a form of payment or compensation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and commonality. It is most often found in news and academic contexts. While perfectly acceptable, alternatives like "get a payment by check" or "obtain a check" can offer slight variations in formality or emphasis. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates why the check is being received. The register is neutral, making it suitable for various settings from professional to everyday conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get a payment by check

This alternative specifies the method of payment more explicitly.

obtain a check

This is a more formal way of saying "receive a check".

be issued a check

This emphasizes the action of someone else giving the check.

collect a check

This suggests actively picking up the check.

be given a check

This emphasizes the act of being handed the check.

have a check sent to you

This alternative focuses on the action of mailing the check.

cash a check

This alternative focuses on the action of transforming the check in cash.

get compensation via check

This explicitly states that the check is a form of compensation.

be paid by check

This focuses on the method of payment being a check.

accept a check

This implies a voluntary acceptance of the check.

FAQs

What does it mean to "receive a check"?

To "receive a check" means to get a physical paper document that represents money, typically as a payment for goods, services, or some other form of compensation.

How can I use "receive a check" in a sentence?

You can use it in sentences like, "After completing the project, I will "receive a check" for my services", or "If you qualify for the rebate, you will "receive a check" in the mail within two weeks".

What can I say instead of "receive a check"?

You can use alternatives like "get a payment by check", "obtain a check", or "be paid by check" depending on the context.

Is it better to "receive a check" or get a direct deposit?

Whether it's better to ""receive a check"" or get a direct deposit depends on personal preference and convenience. Direct deposit is generally faster and more secure, while receiving a check offers a physical record and might be preferred by those without bank accounts.