when we receive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when we receive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about an action that will take place in the future once a certain thing has been received, such as "We will start the project when we receive the necessary materials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

More on the full statement when we receive it.

The Guardian - Music

When we receive money, we stop attack immediately.

The New Yorker

Mr. Boyd said that the agency was "obligated to act when we receive information".

The New York Times

And when we receive him, we proclaim him until he comes.

The New York Times

And of course there is always joy when we receive sponsorship of any kind!

The Guardian - Music

When we receive threats we first denounce them publicly, at the local, national and international level.

The Guardian

"When we receive the letter, we will review it and respond," he said.

The New York Times

Even when we receive [fresh supplies], they are depleted in a small time".

The Guardian

"When we receive complaints about fraudulent activity, our team works quickly to review it.

The Guardian - Tech

We will look at this footage carefully when we receive it.

The Guardian

We will consider the letter from Helen Jones MP when we receive it".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when we receive" to clearly indicate that an action will occur after something has been received. It's useful for setting expectations or outlining processes.

Common error

Don't confuse "when we receive" with phrases like "if we receive". "When" implies a higher degree of certainty that the receipt will occur, while "if" suggests a conditional scenario.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when we receive" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying the timing of the action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English. It indicates that an event will occur subsequent to the action of receiving something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "when we receive" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial clause of time, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to set conditions and provide a timeline for actions contingent on receiving something. Ludwig examples show its common use in neutral to professional contexts, spanning news, science, and business. While versatile, it's crucial to differentiate its meaning from conditional phrases like "if we receive" to avoid ambiguity. Therefore, "when we receive" is a valuable phrase for clear communication across various settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once we obtain

This suggests a process of acquiring or getting something, rather than simply receiving it.

on reception of

This is a formal and concise way to indicate the moment something is received.

as soon as we acquire

This puts more emphasis on the promptness of the action following acquisition.

upon our receipt

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the moment of receiving as the trigger for the subsequent action.

subsequent to our receiving

This alternative emphasizes the sequential nature of events, with the receiving action preceding the next.

following our acceptance

This alternative suggests a formal acceptance process prior to further action.

after getting

This is a more informal way to indicate the sequence of events.

once it is in our possession

This alternative emphasizes having control or ownership after receiving.

after it comes to us

A simpler, less formal way of saying after something arrives.

when it arrives for us

A more direct way to describe something arriving.

FAQs

How can I use "when we receive" in a sentence?

Use "when we receive" to indicate that a specific action will be taken after something is received. For example, "We will process your application "when we receive" all the necessary documents".

What can I say instead of "when we receive"?

You can use alternatives such as "upon our receipt", "once we obtain", or "after getting", depending on the desired level of formality and context.

Is it better to use "when we receive" or "if we receive"?

"When we receive" implies a higher certainty of receiving something, while "if we receive" suggests a conditional scenario. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the likelihood of the receipt.

What's the difference between "when we receive" and "as soon as we receive"?

"As soon as we receive" emphasizes the immediacy of the action following the receipt, while ""when we receive"" simply indicates that the action will occur at some point after the receipt.