receive a gift

USAGE SUMMARY

"receive a gift" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in any context where you are describing a situation such as someone receiving a gift. For example: "John was overjoyed when he received a gift from his grandparents on his birthday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Award winners receive a gift certificate.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Meyer speaks, and the wives receive a gift, usually jewelry.

The New York Times - Sports

The winner of the best design will receive a gift.

The New York Times

Did you yourself receive a gift of any kind?

Yale University

It also required them to pay for additional services to receive a gift card.

The New York Times

Each "Urban Hound of the Week" would receive a gift certificate from Old Navy.

The New York Times - Magazine

This year volunteers will also receive a gift for their efforts, a Brita water-filtration pitcher.

The New York Times

When we receive a gift, gratitude motivates us to pay it forward.

University of California, Berkeley

Specifically, our survey participants receive a gift card code from Amazon.

Stanford University

MOST people would prefer to receive a gift now, instead of the same one in 20 years' time.

The Economist

Teachers receive a gift card saying that the family made a contribution, but no amount is listed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone getting something without effort from another person use the phrase "receive a gift".

Common error

Avoid using "receive a gift" when the action involves actively seeking out or earning a gift. "Obtain a gift" might be more appropriate in that situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "receive a gift" functions as a verb phrase with a noun phrase object. According to Ludwig, it is a common expression used to describe the act of being given something without explicit effort from the recipient.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

28%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "receive a gift" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of being given something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. It appears most frequently in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Science". While semantically related phrases like "get a present" or "be given a gift" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance intended. Remember to use "receive a gift" when describing the passive action of getting something without explicit effort and is not suitable when someone actively seeks or earns something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get a present

Focuses on the act of obtaining a present, which is a synonym for a gift.

be given a gift

Emphasizes the act of being given something, placing focus on the giver.

accept a gift

Highlights the action of willingly taking possession of the gift.

obtain a gift

Implies effort in acquiring a gift, although the effort may be minimal.

acquire a gift

Suggests gaining possession of a gift, often through a process.

be the recipient of a gift

Formal way of expressing that someone has received a gift, emphasizing the receiver's role.

come into possession of a gift

A more formal and less common way of saying someone received a gift.

take delivery of a gift

Specifically refers to the physical act of accepting a delivered gift.

be awarded a gift

Indicates that the gift is given as a reward or recognition.

secure a gift

Implies effort and competition in getting a gift.

FAQs

What is the difference between "receive a gift" and "accept a gift"?

"Receive a gift" generally implies the act of getting something without actively doing anything, while "accept a gift" emphasizes the willingness to take the gift.

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

You can use alternatives like "get a present", "be given a gift", or "obtain a gift" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I received of a gift"?

No, the correct way to phrase it is "I received a gift". The preposition 'of' is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this context.

How to use "receive a gift" in a sentence?

You can use "receive a gift" in a sentence like: "She was delighted to "receive a gift" from her secret admirer".