we have not received

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'we have not received' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation in which something that was expected to be delivered or arrive has not yet arrived. For example: "We have not received the package we were expecting today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We have not received an official request.

Independent

"We have not received any help.

The New York Times

"We have not received a court order.

The Guardian

"But we have not received a complaint".

The New York Times - Health

"We have not received anything from Lonmin.

The Guardian

"But we have not received such information," Ms. Gorelick added.

The New York Times

"Until now, we have not received any donations".

The New York Times

We have not received any response to date.

The Guardian

We've sent them things, but we have not received responses.

The New York Times

"We have sent messages to you to which we have not received a reply.

The Guardian

"We have not received any formal directive to pull out or reduce our presence," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we have not received", clarify what you were expecting to receive and from whom. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "we didn't receive" when the expectation of receiving something is ongoing or the timeframe is not clearly in the past. "We have not received" is more appropriate for indicating a current state of non-receipt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have not received" functions primarily as a declarative statement indicating a lack of receipt. It combines a pronoun, auxiliary verbs, and a past participle to communicate that something expected has not been obtained. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we have not received" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a lack of receipt, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's most commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, clarity is key: specify what was expected and from whom. To ensure accuracy, avoid using "we didn't receive" when the expectation is ongoing. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "we are yet to receive". Ludwig provides many examples to confirm and exemplify each of these characteristics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we haven't gotten

Uses a contraction and the verb 'gotten' to convey the same meaning, slightly more informal.

we did not get

A more direct and simple way of stating the lack of receipt, potentially implying a more active expectation.

we are yet to receive

Emphasizes that the receipt is expected in the future, adding a temporal aspect.

we have yet to be given

Focuses on the act of being given something, highlighting the lack of delivery from another party.

we have not been notified

Focuses specifically on the lack of notification, often used in procedural or official contexts.

it has not come to our attention

Indicates a lack of awareness or notification, focusing on information rather than physical objects.

we are still waiting for

Emphasizes the ongoing expectation and the passage of time, suggesting a delay.

no communication has been received from

Highlights the absence of communication, useful in formal or business contexts.

nothing has been delivered to us

Emphasizes the physical absence of something that was expected to arrive.

we remain without

Implies a state of lacking something necessary or expected, often used in more formal writing.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we have not received" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "we are yet to receive" or "no communication has been received from", which add a layer of professionalism and distance.

What's a more casual alternative to "we have not received"?

In informal contexts, you can use alternatives such as "we haven't gotten" or "we did not get", which are more conversational and relaxed.

Is there a difference between "we have not received" and "we did not receive"?

"We have not received" typically implies a continued expectation or relevance to the present, whereas "we did not receive" refers to a specific past event that concluded. The choice depends on whether the expectation still exists.

When should I use "we have not received" instead of "we haven't received"?

Use "we have not received" in formal writing or when emphasizing the lack of receipt. "We haven't received" is a contraction and is suitable for less formal communications.