received

USAGE SUMMARY

Received is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as either a verb (to accept, to perceive, to be told something) or a participle (something that was done in the past, or will be done in the future). Example sentence: I received a letter yesterday from my friend.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Mr Carmichael said at the time that the first he was aware of this matter was when he received a call from a journalist, but we now know that this is simply untrue.

The Guardian

He told Channel 4 News: "I've told you the first I became aware of this, and this is already on the public record, was when I received a phone call on Friday afternoon from a journalist making me aware of it".

The Guardian

You may cancel a Guardian Masterclass if your notification is received by GNM a minimum of 14 days prior to the start of the Guardian Masterclass.

The Guardian

Two films received seven nominations: The Insider, the true story of a whistle-blower in the tobacco industry, and The Cider House Rules, an adaptation of the John Irving novel set in a New England orphanage.

The Guardian - Film

Provided GNM has received your notice of cancellation within this time frame (and acknowledged your notice), GNM will refund any fees received from you less the deposit where applicable.

The Guardian

So far, even though the site has received more than a hundred legal threats, almost no one has filed suit.

The Economist

On a composite "healthy lives" score, which includes deaths among infants and patients who would have survived had they received timely and effective healthcare, the UK came 10th.

The Guardian

The Guardian has also seen correspondence that reveals Whitehall officials are examining whether Hughes should be stripped of honours he received for his police work.

The Guardian

Some of them will receive far more than the average; data for 2013 showed that the most senior executives in London received an average of £3m.

The Guardian - Business

This might not be a problem if it were a drug for TB, malaria or AIDS – but critics of the HPV donation asked why cervical cancer received such a comprehensive effort in Rwanda – reaching 95% for 11-year-old girls when disease incidence lags well behind other vaccine-preventable diseases in the developing world (read the Rwandan health minister's persuasive rebuttal).

The Guardian

In November he tweeted a photo of himself smiling before a statue of the butt he received from Zinedine Zidane at the 2006 World Cup final.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider whether "received" is the most precise verb to convey the specific manner of acquisition. Alternatives like "obtained" or "acquired" might be more suitable depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "received" excessively in passive constructions. Active voice often makes writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The letter was received by John", try "John received the letter."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "received" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb 'receive'. Ludwig confirms that "received" can be used as both a verb and a participle. It indicates the action of getting or being given something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "received" functions primarily as the past tense and past participle of the verb 'receive', indicating the action of getting or being given something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile term used across numerous contexts. Its communicative purpose is to convey that someone or something has obtained, been sent, or experienced something. Primarily found in "News & Media", its register is generally neutral, suitable for both formal and informal writing. When considering alternatives, "obtained", "acquired", and "was given" offer nuances depending on the intended meaning. Remember to avoid overuse in passive constructions to maintain clear and direct writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtained

Focuses on the act of gaining possession, often implying effort.

acquired

Suggests gaining something over time or through specific actions.

was given

Emphasizes the act of someone bestowing something.

accepted

Highlights the voluntary act of taking something offered.

came into possession of

A more formal way of saying someone gained control or ownership.

experienced

Refers to undergoing or feeling something.

was sent

Emphasizes the action of sending something to the recipient.

collected

Implies gathering things together, often from multiple sources.

gained

Suggests an increase or improvement through acquisition.

took delivery of

Specifically refers to the formal act of accepting goods.

FAQs

How can I use "received" in a sentence?

You can use "received" to indicate that someone has obtained something, like in the sentence, "I received a package today." It can also mean something was experienced, like "The policy received a lot of criticism".

What are some alternatives to "received"?

You can use alternatives like "obtained", "acquired", or "was given" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "I received" or "I have received"?

Both "I received" and "I have received" are correct, but "I received" (simple past) is generally used for completed actions in the past, while "I have received" (present perfect) connects a past action to the present. For example, "I received the email yesterday" vs. "I have received your application."

What's the difference between "received" and "accepted"?

"Received" simply means to get something, while "accepted" implies a voluntary agreement or approval. You can receive something without accepting it, and vice versa. For example, "I received the gift, but I didn't accept it".