received them

USAGE SUMMARY

"received them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that you or someone else has acquired or been given. For example: "I received them in the mail yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He received them promptly.

The New Yorker

The way we received them was shameful.

The New Yorker

He said he had not received them.

The New York Times - Sports

She received them with a nod.

The New York Times - Magazine

I swore I had not received them.

The New York Times

Not that they have always received them.

The Guardian - Sport

"We received them peacefully,' he says.

The Guardian

He received them pleasantly but conceded nothing.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We received them with no difficulty".

The New York Times

About 300,000 women received them around the world.

The New York Times

We've received them wrong and we've sent them wrong.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "received them", ensure that the context clearly identifies what "them" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "received them" without clearly establishing what "them" represents in the sentence or preceding context. This ensures clarity and prevents confusion for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "received them" functions as a transitive verb phrase, where "received" is the verb indicating the action of getting something, and "them" is the pronoun acting as the direct object, referring to previously mentioned items or entities. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "received them" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to indicate that someone has obtained or been given something. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English across various contexts, primarily in news and media, scientific, and formal business settings. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, its formality can vary depending on the source. Remember to clearly establish what "them" refers to in order to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "got them" and "obtained them" can be used for informal and formal contexts, respectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

got them

A more informal way to say "received them".

obtained them

Implies effort or a process to get "them".

acquired them

Suggests ownership or a formal acquisition.

were given them

Highlights that someone else gave "them".

were handed them

Suggests a direct and personal transfer.

accepted them

Focuses on the act of accepting something offered.

took delivery of them

Commonly used when talking about packages or goods.

had them delivered

Someone else delivers "them" for you.

came into possession of them

Highlights legal or official gaining of "them".

were the recipient of them

More formal and emphasizes the role of being a recipient.

FAQs

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

You can use "received them" to indicate that you or someone else has obtained something. For example, "I "received them" in the mail this morning."

What's a more formal way to say "received them"?

Alternatives to "received them" include "acquired them" or "obtained them", which suggest a more formal context.

Is it always necessary to specify what "them" refers to when using "received them"?

Yes, it's crucial to ensure that the context makes it clear what "them" refers to. Otherwise, consider rephrasing to eliminate ambiguity. For example, instead of "I "received them"", you could say "I received the documents".

What can I say instead of "received them" in an informal context?

In informal contexts, you can use "got them" as a simpler and more casual alternative to "received them".