received a wound

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "received a wound" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to injuries, battles, or medical situations where someone has sustained a physical injury. Example: "During the skirmish, the soldier received a wound to his arm that required immediate medical attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Tilly received a wound from which he died two weeks later.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The parties today behave just like how the Baathists behaved before," said Chnor Muhammed, a 33-year-old journalist who received a wound to her left hand, referring to Mr. Hussein's party.

The New York Times

Finch soon received a wound, from which he died three days later.

Wikipedia

Later in 1778 at Short Hills, New Jersey, White suffered a fractured femur caused by a musket ball and received a wound to the head from the stock of a British Army grenadier's musket.

Wikipedia

All patients received a wound care sheet at discharge from the ED and were instructed to return in 2 days for a wound check, at which time the wound was evaluated for evidence of infection.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This, however, did not prevent the veteran receiving a wound that was close to fatal, no more than it does Ronaldo producing one piece of evidence after another that beyond all the vanity is a talent as hard as rock.

Independent

He showed me an inch-long scar and explained apologetically, "If, in a fight, you receive a wound on your forehead, then you are considered to have done well, but if you only have a spear wound on the back of your leg, like this one of mine, then you are viewed as not having fought well".

The New Yorker

In October 1575 he calmed the anxieties of the Parisians by defeating a German army at Dormans, receiving a wound and scar that won him his father's nickname of "le Balafré." Fearing Guise's growing popularity, Henry III made peace with the Huguenots (May 1576).

Encyclopedia Britannica

After all, an eye that receives a wound and becomes infected is potentially very dangerous.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

In the fight that followed, Burnham pretended to receive a wound in the knee.

Wikipedia

The 24th also repelled a number of charges, with VC recipient Costello receiving a wound in the arm.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about injuries, be specific about the type of wound (e.g., gunshot wound, stab wound, shrapnel wound) to provide clarity and detail.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice constructions like "a wound was received" when active voice constructions such as "they received a wound" are more direct and engaging for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "received a wound" functions as a verb phrase where "received" is the verb indicating the action of acquiring something (in this case, an injury), and "a wound" is the noun phrase acting as the direct object. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Science

26%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "received a wound" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that someone has sustained a physical injury. As Ludwig confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and wiki articles. While alternatives like "sustained an injury" or "suffered a wound" exist, "received a wound" specifically implies the act of acquiring an injury through an external force. When using this phrase, specificity regarding the type of wound can enhance clarity and prevent overuse of the passive voice. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. Ludwig's examples provide additional context and usage patterns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was wounded

Passive voice construction focusing on the state of being injured.

sustained an injury

Replaces "received a wound" with a more general term for injury.

suffered a wound

Emphasizes the negative impact of the injury.

incurred a wound

A more formal way of saying "received a wound".

was afflicted with a wound

A more formal and literary way of saying "received a wound".

took a hit

An informal way to say "received a wound" and implies an impact.

picked up an injury

Suggests acquiring the injury, possibly in a casual way.

experienced trauma

Focuses on the physical or emotional shock of the injury.

came under fire

Indicates an attack or dangerous situation resulting in injury.

had a brush with death

Highlights the severity of the injury, implying it was life-threatening.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "received a wound"?

To say someone "received a wound" means they sustained an injury, usually in a physical altercation or accident. It indicates that the person was hurt or injured.

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

You can use alternatives like "sustained an injury", "suffered a wound", or "was wounded" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "received a wound" or "sustained an injury"?

Both "received a wound" and "sustained an injury" are correct, but "sustained an injury" is a more general term and might be preferred in some contexts. "Received a wound" specifically refers to a physical injury caused by external force.

What is the difference between "received a wound" and "inflicted a wound"?

"Received a wound" means to be on the receiving end of an injury, while "inflicted a wound" means to cause an injury to someone else. They are opposite actions.