receive them back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "receive them back" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of getting something returned to you, such as items, information, or feedback. Example: "After reviewing the documents, I hope to receive them back by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Smiling in their agonies and mildly deriding their tormentors, they cheerfully resigned their souls, confident that they would receive them back again".

The New Yorker

To lend a certain cohesion to their varied rights, they were willing to surrender their house lands to the empire and receive them back again as a princely fief.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Every parent sends their child to school believing that school should be one of the safe-haven places, a place where they can send them and receive them back at the end of the day" said the superintendent of the Spring Independent School District, Ralph H. Draper.

The New York Times

It has therefore drawn up a scheme to sell the pictures to the nation for some £30m over a period of 25 years and to receive them back, as public property, at 40 Brunswick Square, near Coram's Fields in Bloomsbury, where they would be shown and properly looked after in a new museum for Londoners.But one of the foundation's 25 trustees did not like the scheme.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He fetches towels and receives them back after they have absorbed a players' sweat.

The New York Times - Sports

In 1603 Theobald Burke, of the MacWilliam Iochtair, surrendered his lands and received them back to hold with the title of Viscount Mayo.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In May 1213, John and Innocent finally resolved the dispute over Langton's election to Canterbury, and part of the settlement was that John gave Ireland and England to Innocent and received them back from the pope, making John a papal vassal.

Wikipedia

Over 10% of all working-age adults receive permanent or temporary disability allowances, according to the OECD – a figure that rises to 14% if you include people receiving support to get them back into work after illness or injury.

The Guardian

I didn't receive them and called him back, he answered right away and said he had initiated the transfer and it might just take a few minutes".

TechCrunch

In March and April, when ground stations were free to receive them, the images were transmitted back to Earth.

The New York Times - Magazine

State officials said that they had no firm figure on the total number of parents who applied for vouchers, because some who received them ultimately gave them back and others who were initially rejected were encouraged to apply again.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "receive them back" when emphasizing a formal or transactional return, such as in business or legal contexts. For everyday conversation, "get them back" may sound more natural.

Common error

Avoid using "receive them back" in very casual conversations. Alternatives like "get it back" or "have it back" are more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "receive them back" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of regaining possession of something. It emphasizes the act of acceptance or retrieval. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "receive them back" is a grammatically correct way to express the act of regaining possession of something. As Ludwig AI points out, it is a usable phrase in written English, particularly in more formal contexts. While not as common as alternatives like "get them back", it maintains a level of professionalism suitable for news, encyclopedic entries, and business communication. Its frequency is considered uncommon, primarily appearing in "News & Media", "Encyclopedias", and "Wiki" sources. When choosing this phrase, consider the register of your writing and whether a more formal tone is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get them back

Focuses on the action of obtaining something that was previously lost or given away.

have them returned

Emphasizes the action of someone else returning the items.

obtain their return

A more formal way of expressing the act of getting something back.

reacquire them

Implies regaining possession after a period of loss.

take them back

Indicates the act of reclaiming or accepting something that was previously given.

get them in return

Highlights reciprocity; receiving something as a direct result of giving something else.

recover them

Suggests retrieving something that was lost or stolen.

reclaim them

Implies asserting a right to get something back.

retrieve them

A formal way to say getting something back, often from a specific location.

have them sent back

Focuses on the action of requesting to have items delivered back to you.

FAQs

How can I use "receive them back" in a sentence?

You can use "receive them back" when referring to the act of getting something returned to you. For example, "After the revisions, we expect to "receive them back" by Friday".

What's a less formal way to say "receive them back"?

Less formal alternatives include "get them back" or "have them back", which are suitable for everyday conversations.

Is "receive them back" grammatically correct?

Yes, "receive them back" is grammatically correct. However, its formality might not suit all situations.

How does "receive them back" differ from "give them back"?

"Receive them back" focuses on the act of getting something returned to you, while "give them back" focuses on the act of returning something to someone else. They represent opposite actions.