received a refund

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "received a refund" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the return of money for a product or service that was not satisfactory or was returned. Example: "After returning the defective item, I received a refund within a week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

We received a refund.

The New York Times

Ms. Fahey said she had still not received a refund.

The New York Times

Ms. Lewis, who sued Acu-Gen, said she ultimately received a refund.

The New York Times - Health

Some of them effectively paid negative taxes, because they received a refund.

The New York Times

I don't think I'll ever buy a Tesla". He recently received a refund of his deposit.

The New York Times

The reader received a refund after the Observer got in touch.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

All RSVPs will receive a refund.

Columbia University

Customers who cancel flights will not receive a refund.

The Guardian - Travel

Cancellations received after August 30 will not receive a refund.

Cornell University

If a concert is cancelled, you will receive a refund.

Yale University

When you receive a refund, look at your bill carefully.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In financial reports or legal documents, ensure you specify the amount and reason for the refund. For example: "The company received a refund of $5,000 due to overpayment of taxes."

Common error

Avoid using "received a rebate" interchangeably with "received a refund". A refund is typically given when a product or service is returned or canceled, while a rebate is usually offered as an incentive after a purchase. Using the wrong term can confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "received a refund" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of getting money back after a transaction, return, or cancellation. As noted by Ludwig, this is a common and accepted expression in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "received a refund" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of getting money back, confirmed by Ludwig. It's versatile enough for both formal and informal contexts, primarily appearing in news and media, as well as academic settings. When using the phrase, make sure it correctly reflects the context of a return, cancellation, or overpayment and is not confused with similar terms like "rebate". Alternatives include "obtained a refund" for a more formal tone or "got a refund" for casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Obtained a refund

Replaces "received" with a more formal synonym, suggesting a deliberate effort to get the money back.

Was refunded

Shifts the focus to the action of being refunded, rather than the act of receiving.

Got a refund

Uses a more informal synonym for "received", making it suitable for casual conversation.

Secured a reimbursement

Implies a successful effort to get money back, often used in business or formal settings.

Collected a rebate

Refers to getting money back after a purchase, often as part of a promotion.

Claimed a refund

Highlights the act of requesting and receiving a refund, often implying a formal process.

Was issued a refund

Focuses on the entity providing the refund, rather than the recipient.

Benefited from a reimbursement

Emphasizes the positive outcome of receiving money back.

Recouped the cost

Implies recovering an expense or loss, not necessarily a refund for a specific item.

Got money back

A very general way of saying "received a refund", suitable for informal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "received a refund" in a sentence?

You can use "received a refund" to indicate that someone got their money back. For example: "After returning the faulty product, she received a refund."

What's a more formal alternative to "received a refund"?

A more formal alternative is "obtained a refund", which implies a more deliberate and formal process.

Is it correct to say "was issued a refund" instead of "received a refund"?

Yes, "was issued a refund" is grammatically correct and focuses on the entity that provided the refund, rather than the recipient. Both are valid depending on the context.

What's the difference between "received a refund" and "received a rebate"?

"Received a refund" typically refers to getting money back due to a return or cancellation, while "received a rebate" refers to getting money back after a purchase, often as a promotional offer.