when it was received

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when it was received" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the time or moment something was received, often in contexts related to communication or delivery. Example: "The report was submitted on Monday, but we only acknowledged it when it was received on Wednesday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Accordingly, he said, the letter writer could recover the rebate from the current owner only if there was a provision in the contract of sale indicating that the rebate would be apportioned -- or turned over to the seller in its entirety -- when it was received by the new owner.

The New York Times

"Latency" was simply the time between the moment a signal was sent and when it was received.

The New York Times - Magazine

The police would not discuss the source of the information that pointed them to Mr. McClinton or when it was received.

The New York Times

Paul J. Browne, a spokesman for the New York Police Department, said Francisco's report was not entered into the national database when it was received because the person with that duty was not available.

The New York Times

This was at a time when it was received wisdom in the brewing industry that you couldn't do organic beers, you couldn't get organic barley and hops - and anyway, the organic thing was just a phase.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The impressive finding, however, was that people of either sex were significantly more likely to comply with the request when it was received by the right ear, compared with the left.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

During the financial crisis, he advised Goldman Sachs when it was receiving TARP bailout funds and a $5 billion investment from Berkshire Hathaway.

Forbes

It's done when it's received, internalized, and applied.

Harvard Business Review

Typically, donations are processed within a week from when it is received by Alumni & Development Services.

Harvard University

The program is vulnerable to manipulation at either end of the transaction, by overvaluing the oil and gas when it is received or undervaluing it when it is sold.

The New York Times

But Treasury officials have another reason to stay abreast of the wealthy: their activities are an important determinant of the amount of revenue received by the Treasury, and when it is received.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when it was received" to clearly indicate a time-dependent sequence of events, especially when the act of receiving is a key factor in the context.

Common error

Avoid using "when it was received" if the receiver is the main focus; instead, rephrase to emphasize the recipient's action (e.g., "when they received it").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when it was received" functions as an adverbial clause, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing of an event. As Ludwig AI points out, it specifies a point in time linked to the act of receiving something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when it was received" is a grammatically correct and widely understood phrase used to establish temporal context in relation to an act of receiving. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in standard English. While suitable for various contexts, alternatives might be preferred in more formal settings for conciseness. This phrase is commonly found in news, scientific, and academic writing. Use it to clearly indicate the timing of events where the act of receiving is crucial. Ensure it follows logically within the sentence structure and consider more concise alternatives for formal writing or when brevity is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon its reception

Replaces the clause with a prepositional phrase, making it more concise.

on receipt of it

Similar to "upon its reception" but uses a slightly more formal tone.

after it was obtained

Focuses on the act of obtaining rather than receiving.

following its acquisition

More formal, emphasizing the process of gaining possession.

subsequent to its arrival

Highlights the arrival aspect, suitable when physical delivery is important.

once it had been delivered

Emphasizes the completion of the delivery process.

as soon as it arrived

Focuses on immediacy and speed of arrival.

at the moment of receipt

Highlights the precise timing of the receiving action.

when it became available

Emphasizes availability, useful when something is not immediately accessible upon arrival.

at the time of its acceptance

Focuses on the formal acceptance or approval of something.

FAQs

How can I use "when it was received" in a sentence?

You can use "when it was received" to specify the timing of an action or event in relation to something being received. For example, "The process began "when it was received" by the department."

What are some alternatives to using "when it was received"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "upon its reception", "on receipt of it", or "after it was obtained", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "when it was received" and "upon receiving it"?

"When it was received" specifies a point in time after the receiving action has occurred, while "upon receiving it" suggests immediacy or that something happens directly at the moment of receiving.

Can "when it was received" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "when it was received" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more concise alternatives like "on receipt" might be preferred in formal writing for brevity.