receiving

USAGE SUMMARY

'receiving' is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used in situations to describe the process of getting something either literally (such as receiving a package) or figuratively (such as receiving a joke). For example, "I was delighted to be receiving a surprise gift from my friend on my birthday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"People must be held to account for their actions under the rule of law and in the case of Mr Downey clearly a dreadful mistake was made by him receiving that letter".

The Guardian

The minister added that mining billionaire Andrew Forrest's review into Indigenous disadvantage was an "incredible document" but the government wasn't ready to implement its most contentious proposal – that all Australians receiving welfare should have their spending managed by government.

The Guardian

The head of an alleged New South Wales Liberal party slush fund receiving regular payments from Australian Water Holdings (AWH) was involved in drafting letters, press releases and parliamentary questions on behalf of senior Liberals aimed at boosting the water company's interests.

The Guardian

One thing about Australia's recent Carlton Mid Series against the Proteas that struck me as being particularly inept was the perfunctory and unceremonious manner in which Steve Smith was acknowledged as player-of-the-series, receiving little more than a handshake before Mark Nicholas threw to the end credits and another post-cricket airing of Christopher Reeve-era Superman.

The Guardian - Sport

The government spends about £5bn a year on the railways, with Network Rail receiving £3.7bn of that investment in grants last year.

The Guardian

Rev. Sean Carroll, executive director of Kino Border Initiative, said student were very excited and very touched after receiving the letter from Francis.

The Guardian

The number of staff receiving increments is reducing as more staff reach the top of their pay bands, which is when annual increments usually stop.

The Guardian

Hazell is on the receiving end once more.

The Guardian - Sport

The new cap applies to anyone receiving an out-of-work benefit, including jobseeker's allowance and employment and support allowance, which is paid to people with disabilities.

The Guardian

Her most extraordinary quality is that she seems constantly only to be receiving, while powerfully transmitting".

The Guardian - Film

It said it was now receiving about 1,000 requests daily, from a high of more than 12,000 soon after the ruling.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "receiving", consider the context to choose the most appropriate synonym for greater precision. For example, use "accepting" for gifts or "experiencing" for emotions.

Common error

Avoid misspellings that can change the meaning drastically. "Receiving" (getting something) is different from "deceiving" (misleading someone).

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "receiving" is as a verb, specifically in its present participle form. It describes the action of getting or acquiring something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this word can be used both literally and figuratively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "receiving" is a very common and grammatically correct verb form used to describe the action of getting or acquiring something. As Ludwig AI points out, it is versatile and appropriate for both literal and figurative contexts. The analysis of the provided examples indicates that the phrase is most frequently used in news and media, sports, and business contexts. When writing, consider the nuances of related terms such as "getting" or "accepting" to ensure the most precise and impactful language. Remember to avoid the common misspelling that can lead to confusion with "deceiving".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

getting

Focuses on the act of obtaining, which is a broader term than "receiving".

obtaining

Implies a more formal or deliberate process of acquiring something.

acquiring

Similar to "obtaining" but can also refer to gaining skills or knowledge.

accepting

Emphasizes the willingness to take something offered.

experiencing

Highlights the act of undergoing or encountering something.

undergoing

Suggests a process of being subjected to something.

being given

Passive construction that highlights the act of someone providing something.

coming into possession of

Formal phrase denoting gaining ownership or control.

being the recipient of

Emphasizes the role of the person getting something.

taking delivery of

Focuses on the physical act of accepting goods or items.

FAQs

How to use "receiving" in a sentence?

"Receiving" is the present participle of the verb receive, indicating an ongoing action. For example, "She is receiving a gift" or "The company is receiving positive feedback".

What can I say instead of "receiving"?

You can use alternatives like "getting", "obtaining", or "acquiring" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "receiving" and "accepting"?

"Receiving" generally implies the act of getting something, while "accepting" suggests a voluntary agreement to take something offered. You might be "receiving" junk mail, but you are "accepting" a gift.

Is it correct to say "I am receiving of a prize"?

No, the correct phrase is "I am receiving a prize". The preposition "of" is not needed in this context.