were received

USAGE SUMMARY

"were received" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about something that has been given, as in, "The documents were received yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Seven bids were received.

The New York Times

No viable submissions were received.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Almost 700 submissions were received.

The New York Times

No other offers were received.

The New York Times

About 50 entries were received.

The New York Times

We were received with open arms".

The New York Times

In all, 425 entries were received.

The New York Times

Both performances were received with standing ovations.

The New York Times

No other bids were received, Hostess said.

The New York Times

More than 80 entries were received.

The Guardian - Arts

More than 210,000 nominations were received.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were received" to clearly indicate that something has been taken in or accepted, particularly when the receiving action is important to highlight.

Common error

Avoid using "was received" when referring to multiple items; "were received" is the correct plural form. For example, say "The applications were received", not "The applications was received".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were received" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence underwent the action of receiving. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples of its use across different contexts, such as "bids were received" or "messages were received".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were received" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to indicate that something has been obtained or accepted. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, particularly in scientific literature and news reports. Although suitable for neutral and formal contexts, it is important to use the correct plural form. Alternatives like "were accepted" or "had been delivered" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Overall, "were received" serves as a clear and effective way to communicate that something has been taken in.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were accepted

Highlights the act of acceptance, which implies a deliberate decision.

had been obtained

Emphasizes the act of acquiring something, which can be more general than receiving.

had been delivered

Focuses on the action of delivering rather than receiving, emphasizing the source.

were collected

Focuses on the gathering aspect, suitable when dealing with items or data.

were gathered

Similar to 'were collected', but can also refer to abstract things like information or opinions.

were taken in

Suggests a more comprehensive reception, often implying understanding or assimilation.

were presented

Emphasizes the action of presenting something, typically for consideration or review.

were submitted

Highlights the act of submitting, often used when talking about applications or proposals.

were furnished

Implies that something was provided or supplied, often used in a formal context.

were furnished with

Implies that something was provided or supplied, often used in a formal context.

FAQs

How can I use "were received" in a sentence?

Use "were received" to indicate that multiple items or pieces of information have been taken in or accepted. For example: "The packages "were received" this morning".

What are some alternatives to "were received"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "were accepted", "had been delivered", or "were obtained".

Is it correct to say "was received" instead of "were received"?

"Was received" is singular, while "were received" is plural. Use "was received" when referring to a single item and "were received" when referring to multiple items.

What is the difference between "were received" and "were submitted"?

"Were received" implies that something was taken in or accepted, while "were submitted" implies that something was presented for consideration. For instance, "The applications "were received"" indicates they arrived, while "The applications "were submitted"" means they were formally presented.