received word from

USAGE SUMMARY

"received word from" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used in the context of communication, as in the following example: I recently received word from my friend that she will be visiting soon.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The friend had received word from home that his wife was seeing someone else.

The New Yorker

Within days, several plaintiffs received word from the police that their phones might have been hacked.

The New York Times

Polumbus received word from coaches of the team's continued interest in him, however.

The Washington Post

"We have like six more," friends from the club who she hasn't received word from yet.

The Guardian

The United States had Lebanon's approval but still had not received word from Israel.

The Washington Post

Several months later, Comte received word from Vogel that Moscow Centre needed to verify Klingberg's story.

The Guardian

had received word from Tokyo to close up and come home.

The New Yorker

But late Tuesday, they received word from Washington that they must close again or face severe consequences.

The New York Times

During her first visit to her parents, the writer received word from the Levines that she could not come back.

The New Yorker

I received word from plant management that all workers should leave except for critical plant personnel like myself.

The New York Times

"We received word from the Taliban and the Foreign Office on Saturday that Yvonne was on her way to freedom.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "received word from" when you want to emphasize that you obtained information or a message directly from a specific source. For instance, "I "received word from" the manager that the project was approved".

Common error

Avoid using overly casual phrases like "heard from" in formal writing. While understandable, "received word from" adds a touch of professionalism suitable for business or academic contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "received word from" functions as a reporting verb construction, indicating the act of receiving information or a message from a specific source. This is verified by Ludwig, which confirms its common and valid usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "received word from" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that you have been informed by a specific source. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, making it a reliable choice for conveying information. When writing, consider the subtle differences between "received word from" and its alternatives like "was told by" or "heard back from" to choose the most appropriate phrasing for your needs. While generally suitable for formal contexts, be mindful of avoiding overly casual alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was told by

Direct and simple, focusing on the act of being told something.

heard back from

Implies a response was received, slightly more informal.

was informed by

More formal and direct, suggesting official communication.

was notified by

Suggests a formal notification, often about important news.

got a message from

More casual and can refer to any type of message.

was advised by

Indicates receiving counsel or guidance.

obtained information from

Focuses on the acquisition of information, more general.

gathered from

Suggests inferring information from a source, less direct.

learnt from

Implies gaining knowledge, not necessarily a direct message.

got wind of from

Informal, suggesting information was received indirectly.

FAQs

What does "received word from" mean?

The phrase "received word from" means that someone has obtained information or a message directly from a particular person or source. It implies a communication event has occurred.

What can I say instead of "received word from"?

You can use alternatives like "was informed by", "was notified by", or "was told by" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "received word from" in formal writing?

Yes, "received word from" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to indicate that you obtained information from a specific source. However, context always matters.

How to use "received word from" in a sentence?

You can use "received word from" like this: "The company "received word from" the regulatory agency regarding the approval of the new product." It's typically followed by the source of the information.