received a visit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "received a visit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has come to see or meet you, often in a formal or polite context. Example: "Yesterday, I received a visit from my old friend who I hadn't seen in years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then we received a visit from the hospital's rabbinical chaplain.

The New York Times

Shah, too, received a visit from the authorities.

The Guardian

In 1996 he received a visit from the archdeacon.

The Guardian - Sport

The following month Vietnam also received a visit by the commander of the U.S. Pacific Command.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Suspicions were raised, and Crippen received a visit from Inspector Walter Dew of Scotland Yard.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One late afternoon last spring I received a visit from a former student and budding entrepreneur.

Harvard Business Review

As they drank port and smoked cigarettes, they received a visit from a surprise guest.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then he received a visit from a man he described as a Russian oligarch.

The New York Times - Magazine

Christensen had received a visit from an official at the University of Phoenix.

The New Yorker

One day, he received a visit from Mr. Rich, whose home base was Hawaii.

The New York Times

Last year, on her 102nd birthday, Kurdian received a visit from her local parish priest.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "received a visit" when you want to emphasize the act of someone coming to see you, especially in formal contexts or when the visitor is significant.

Common error

While "received a visit" is acceptable, overuse can lead to passive voice. Consider active alternatives like "someone visited" for a more direct and engaging writing style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "received a visit" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that someone was the recipient of a visit. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing interactions and encounters, fitting within a broader context of event narration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "received a visit" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone being visited by another, as affirmed by Ludwig. It is frequently used in news and media contexts to report on meetings or encounters. While generally neutral, considering active voice alternatives can enhance writing clarity. Its widespread use across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its acceptability and reliability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was visited by

Passive voice construction emphasizing the visitor rather than the visited.

had a visitor

Simple and direct way to express someone came to see you.

was paid a visit by

More formal and emphasizes the deliberate nature of the visit.

met with

Implies a planned or arranged meeting.

was in receipt of a visit from

Highly formal and less common phrasing.

entertained a guest

Focuses on the act of hosting the visitor.

received company

General term for having visitors.

played host to

Highlights the role of the person receiving the visit as a host.

was called upon by

Formal and somewhat archaic way of saying someone visited.

had someone drop by

Informal and suggests an unplanned visit.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "received a visit"?

You can use alternatives like "was visited by", "had a visitor", or "was paid a visit by" depending on the context.

Is "received of a visit" grammatically correct?

No, the correct phrasing is "received a visit". The preposition "of" is not needed and would make the sentence grammatically incorrect.

How to use "received a visit" in a formal sentence?

For formal usage, consider a sentence like: "The ambassador "received a visit" from the delegation to discuss trade agreements."

What is the difference between "received a visit" and "paid a visit"?

"Received a visit" focuses on the person who was visited, while "paid a visit" focuses on the person who did the visiting. For example: "She "received a visit" from her mother" vs. "Her mother "paid a visit" to her".