took receipt of

USAGE SUMMARY

"took receipt of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about receiving something. For example, "I took receipt of the package yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The striker took receipt of Sergi Roberto's foolish pass to release Sterling behind the visiting defence for Gündogan's equaliser.

The Guardian - Sport

Last month, Alcor took receipt of its 138th patient: Du Hong, a Chinese science-fiction writer who died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 61 and whose family contacted Alcor shortly before her death to have her brain preserved.

The Guardian

So I hauled the inert machine over to my newfound team of saviors, who shook hands with me, took receipt of it and told me to expect an update in a day or two.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I haven't taken receipt of it yet, but it will be exciting when I do.

The New York Times

'Thank you, Mr Davis,' he said, taking receipt of the relevant buff folder.

The Guardian - Books

Who do you trust to take receipt of these messages that have inexplicably been sent in a dead medium?

The Guardian

The day before, Nadia explained, the woman had taken receipt of some boxes of Chinese rice that had been intended for her.

The New Yorker

The day I visit, the band have just taken receipt of their first Gold Disc, for 100,000 UK sales of their Entertainment album.

Independent

A quick check of any pension calculator shows that is woefully short, and most people will need well over £300,000 (taking receipt of the state pension into account).

The Guardian - Money

"This is a terrifically exciting time in the history of our Institute," said CILEx president Susan Silver after taking receipt of the charter.

The Guardian

On Saturday, the Real I.R.A. shot up a group of soldiers — who were packed and ready to leave for Afghanistan — as they were taking receipt of some pizza.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "took receipt of" in formal contexts where a more official or documented tone is desired. For general communication, consider the simpler synonym "received".

Common error

Avoid using "took receipt of" in informal settings as it can sound stilted or pretentious. Choose a more casual alternative like "got" or "received" for everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took receipt of" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of receiving something. Ludwig provides examples illustrating its use in contexts ranging from sports to science, indicating a formal acknowledgement of receiving an item or information.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

23%

Less common in

Science

22%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "took receipt of" is a grammatically correct verbal phrase used to formally acknowledge the act of receiving something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is appropriate for use in formal and professional settings, though simpler alternatives like "received" are often preferred in casual contexts. While authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times employ it, its frequency is relatively uncommon compared to its more straightforward synonyms. Therefore, consider the context and intended tone when choosing whether to use "took receipt of" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received

This is a direct synonym, simpler and more common in everyday language.

accepted delivery of

Emphasizes the act of accepting a delivered item.

obtained

Focuses on the act of getting or acquiring something.

came into possession of

Highlights the change of ownership or control.

was given

Highlights that someone has give something.

acquired

Emphasizes gaining something, often over time or through effort.

collected

Focuses on the act of gathering or picking up something.

picked up

A more informal way of saying "collected".

secured

Implies obtaining something through effort or competition.

assumed ownership of

Focuses on the formal transfer of ownership.

FAQs

What does "took receipt of" mean?

The phrase "took receipt of" means that someone has received something. It is a more formal way of saying "received" or "accepted".

When should I use "took receipt of"?

Use "took receipt of" in formal or official contexts, such as legal documents or business correspondence. In casual conversation, simpler terms like "received" or "got" are more appropriate.

What can I say instead of "took receipt of"?

You can use alternatives like "received", "accepted delivery of", or "obtained" depending on the context.

Is "took receipt of" too formal for everyday use?

Yes, "took receipt of" is generally considered too formal for everyday use. In most situations, "received" or "got" are better choices.