was received by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was received by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was accepted or acknowledged by a specific person or entity. Example: "The package was received by the office manager yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her body was received by the ground".

The New York Times - Books

The allegation was received by the sheriff's drug enforcement unit.

The New York Times

No distress signal was received by rescue organizations.

The New York Times

She did not relate how this technique was received by the people who were ruffled.

The New York Times

This piece was received by Shaker Aamer's lawyers at human rights charity Reprieve from unclassified writings.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their message was received by 1,700 homes in the Bowleys Quarters area of Baltimore County.

The New York Times

On the same date a payment of $6.3m was received by Autonomy from MicroTech.

The Guardian - Business

Chakrabarti's application was received by the party's Federal Conference Committee the following day.

The Guardian

I asked Tan how it was received by the local people.

The New York Times - Magazine

The call was received by the pro-Basque independence newspaper Gara.

The New York Times - Sports

The first 911 call was received by Newtown police department at 9.35.39am.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was received by", ensure the subject clearly identifies who or what did the receiving. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "was received by" when the receiver is unclear or implied. Instead, rephrase to make the receiver explicit, ensuring the sentence's meaning is immediately apparent to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was received by" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence underwent the action of being received. As Ludwig AI shows, this construction is used to shift focus from the actor to the recipient.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0.1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was received by" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to emphasize the recipient of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its broad usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources, it maintains a neutral to formal tone. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating the receiver. Alternative phrases like "was accepted by" or "was obtained by" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. With its wide acceptance and diverse applications, "was received by" remains a valuable tool for precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was accepted by

Emphasizes a more formal or deliberate act of acceptance.

was obtained by

Focuses on the act of gaining or acquiring something.

was acquired by

Highlights the process of coming into possession of something, often through effort or purchase.

was granted to

Indicates formal permission or bestowal.

was met with

Focuses on the reaction or response to something.

was greeted by

Suggests a welcoming or initial reception.

was welcomed by

Implies a positive and warm reception.

was heard by

Specifically refers to the act of someone listening to something.

was known to

Implies public or general awareness of something.

was registered with

Indicates a formal process of recording or documenting.

FAQs

How can I use "was received by" in a sentence?

Use "was received by" to indicate that someone or something took possession of something else. For example, "The letter was received by the office manager" or "The award was received by the team captain".

What's a good alternative to "was received by"?

Alternatives include "was accepted by", "was obtained by", or "was acquired by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was received by"?

While "was received by" is in the passive voice, its appropriateness depends on the context. Use the active voice when you want to emphasize the actor. Use the passive voice when the receiver is more important than the actor, or when the actor is unknown.

What is the difference between "was received by" and "was greeted by"?

"Was received by" generally indicates the act of taking possession, while "was greeted by" implies a welcoming or initial response. Use "was received by" for physical items or formal communications, and "was greeted by" for reactions or welcomes.