we received from him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we received from him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that was given or sent by a male individual. Example: "The documents we received from him were crucial for our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The most important gift we received from him was not words, but deeds.

The New York Times

DOENITZ: Of course, he worked for the entire Armed Forces, all three branches of the Armed Forces; and I must say in that connection, if you ask me about the importance, that I was of the opinion that the information which we received from him and which interested the Navy was very meager indeed.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We received from a collaborator a serious attack against Octavio Paz.

The New York Times - Books

The news we received from the capital was distressing.

The New Yorker

What have we received from the peace process?

The Guardian

That was the last message anyone received from him.

The Washington Post

2/ then I received from him long stem jungle roses.

Huffington Post

He hadn't had the best of luck in his foster home that we received him from.

Huffington Post

A couple of weeks later we received a postcard from him from a coffeehouse on the Piazza del Biscione in Rome.

The New Yorker

"We received emails about him from the administration," Mr. Gard said in an interview, adding that he did not recall the specific issues.

The New York Times

There are emergency phones placed out there in the wilderness, and we received a call from him.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we received from him", ensure that the context clearly indicates what "we" and "him" refer to, avoiding ambiguity. Also, verify the level of formality is appropriate to the specific readership.

Common error

Avoid using "we received from him" in contexts where the identities of "we" and "him" are not immediately clear to the reader. This can lead to confusion and require the reader to backtrack for clarification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we received from him" acts as a declarative statement indicating the reception of something from a male individual. Ludwig shows various contexts where this phrase is used to convey the origin or source of information, objects, or assistance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we received from him" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate the source of something acquired from a male individual. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is valid and suitable across various contexts but most commonly found in news, academia, and scientific writings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the identities of "we" and "him" to avoid ambiguity, as incorrect pronoun reference may lead to misunderstandings. For more casual settings, consider using alternatives like "we got from him", while more formal contexts may benefit from "we obtained from him".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we obtained from him

Replaces "received" with "obtained", suggesting a more deliberate effort in acquiring something.

we acquired from him

Emphasizes the act of gaining possession from him, sounding slightly more formal than "obtained".

we got from him

Uses the more informal "got" instead of "received", making the sentence sound more casual.

we were given by him

Focuses on him as the giver, shifting the emphasis from the act of receiving to the act of giving.

we accepted from him

Emphasizes the act of willingly taking what he offered.

he provided us with

Reverses the structure to highlight his provision, rather than our reception.

he furnished us with

A more formal way of saying he provided us with something, often information or resources.

he sent us

Indicates transmission from him, suitable for items or information.

we collected from him

Suggests gathering items from him, suitable for multiple items or data.

we took from him

Implies active taking, potentially without explicit permission, altering the nuance.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "we received from him"?

For a more formal tone, you might say "we obtained from him" or "we acquired from him" depending on the context. Each option, like "we obtained from him", suggests a deliberate and potentially complex process of acquisition.

How can I make "we received from him" sound more casual?

To make the phrase more casual, consider using "we got from him". This is a simpler and more direct way of expressing the same idea. For example, you could say "we got from him", which is less formal than "received".

Is it correct to say "we received it from him" or "we received it of him"?

The correct phrasing is "we received it from him". The preposition "from" indicates the source. "Of" is not appropriate in this context. The phrase "we received it from him" clearly shows the origin of the item.

What's the difference between "we received from him" and "he gave us"?

"We received from him" focuses on the act of receiving, while "he gave us" emphasizes the act of giving. The choice depends on which action you want to highlight. When using "he gave us" the giver is the focus, when using "we received from him" the receiver and the received object are emphasized.