received the degree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "received the degree" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the completion of an academic program and the formal acknowledgment of that achievement. Example: "After years of hard work, she finally received the degree in biology that she had been pursuing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

He did this and received the degree with trembling knees.

The New Yorker

Fermi received the degree of Doctor of Physics in 1922 in Pisa.

The New Yorker

Four years later he took his M.D., and in 1906 received the degree of D.Sc.

Nature

Physics never received the degree of attention that the encyclopaedists accorded to chemistry and chemical engineering.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 2017 Lewis received the degree of Doctor of Music from Harvard University.

Columbia University

He received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colorado in 1914.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

He received the degrees of B.S.E.E.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He attended Emory University, from which he received the degrees of B.Ph. (1930) and M.A. (1938).

Duke University

When Dr. Faust said Mr. Kennedy would receive the degree in person in the future, the announcement received a standing ovation.

The New York Times - Health

All will receive the degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) in June.

BBC

The third deadline is the final date to hold the dissertation defense to receive the degree.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone's educational achievements, be specific about the type of degree (e.g., Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science) and the institution from which it was received to provide clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice unnecessarily (e.g., "The degree was received by him"). Instead, use the active voice: "He received the degree". Also, ensure the tense is correct; use past tense for completed actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "received the degree" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the completion of an academic program and the formal conferral of a degree. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. This is evidenced by the numerous examples found in the search results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

42%

News & Media

38%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "received the degree" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate that someone has successfully completed an academic program and been awarded a degree. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and versatile. It is most frequently found in academic and news contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that the tense is correct and consider providing specific details such as the type of degree and the institution. Alternatives such as "earned the degree" or "obtained the degree" can be used to add nuance to the statement. Avoid using the passive voice unnecessarily.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earned the degree

Suggests effort and accomplishment in obtaining the degree.

obtained the degree

Implies acquiring or getting the degree.

was awarded the degree

Focuses on the act of bestowing the degree upon someone.

conferred the degree

Similar to 'was awarded', but emphasizes the institution's action.

graduated with a degree

Highlights the act of graduating and possessing a degree.

was granted a degree

Indicates formal permission and conferral of the degree.

completed degree requirements

Focuses on fulfilling all criteria for graduation.

fulfilled degree requirements

Focuses on completing all criteria to be awarded the degree.

attained a degree

Implies reaching a certain level of education and achievement.

secured a degree

Emphasizes the effort and competition involved in obtaining the degree.

FAQs

What is another way to say "received the degree"?

Alternatives to "received the degree" include "earned the degree", "obtained the degree", or "was awarded the degree".

Is it correct to say "receiving the degree"?

While grammatically correct, "receiving the degree" implies an ongoing action. "Received the degree" is used for a completed action in the past. Therefore you should use "received the degree" to indicate the action of being awarded a degree has been fully completed and "receiving the degree" if the degree is in the process of being awarded.

What information should I include when mentioning someone "received the degree"?

Include the type of degree, the institution, and the year it was received for clarity. For example, "She received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Yale University in 2022".

What's the difference between "achieved the degree" and "received the degree"?

"Received the degree" simply states that the degree was conferred. "Achieved the degree" emphasizes the effort and accomplishment involved in obtaining it. So, achieved has a slightly different emphasis.