would have received

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would have received" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a hypothetical situation in the past, often indicating what might have happened under different circumstances. Example: "If the package had been sent on time, I would have received it yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Houston would have received Gasol.

The New York Times - Sports

Each would have received $8.

Harvard University

Houston would have received Pau Gasol from the Lakers.

The New York Times - Sports

Ryan LLC would have received a cut of the savings.

The New York Times

Don would have received $48,000 of that.

Harvard Business Review

Until now, Web surfers would have received an error message.

The New York Times

In return, the Yankees would have received prospects.

The New York Times - Sports

The Lakers would have received Dudley and Detroit's Christian Laettner.

The New York Times - Sports

He would have received less stick if he'd beheaded Bambi.

The Guardian - Sport

The ANC leader would have received 20% of the profits.

The Guardian

If successful, Mr. Bernardi would have received a new trial.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would have received" to clearly indicate a hypothetical past outcome. It's effective for discussing scenarios that didn't occur but were possible under different conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "would of received"; the correct form is always "would have received". Remember that "have" is part of the auxiliary verb phrase, not a preposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would have received" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a hypothetical past action or state. It describes a situation that did not actually happen but was possible under certain conditions. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

31%

Science

22%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would have received" is a highly common and grammatically correct modal verb phrase used to express hypothetical past scenarios. As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively conveys counterfactual outcomes across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. To ensure proper usage, remember to avoid the common error of "would of" and consider using synonyms like "might have obtained" or "could have gotten" for variety. The phrase is versatile and applicable in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have obtained

Replaces "received" with "obtained", indicating a possibility of getting something.

could have gotten

Uses "gotten" instead of "received", suggesting a potential acquisition.

may have been given

Emphasizes the act of giving rather than receiving, implying a potential transfer.

would have been awarded

Focuses on the act of awarding, suitable for prizes or honors.

would have been granted

Implies a formal or official conferral of something.

would have been presented with

Highlights the act of presenting something to someone.

would have been the recipient of

Formal alternative, emphasizing the role of being a recipient.

stood to gain

Emphasizes the potential for profit or benefit.

was in line to receive

Indicates a position or expectation of receiving something.

was eligible to receive

Highlights the fulfillment of requirements for receiving something.

FAQs

How to use "would have received" in a sentence?

Use "would have received" to describe a past hypothetical situation. For example, "If I had studied harder, I "would have received" a better grade".

What can I say instead of "would have received"?

You can use alternatives like "might have obtained", "could have gotten", or "may have been given" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "would have received" or "would of received"?

"Would have received" is correct. "Would of received" is a common error arising from mishearing or misspelling "would've", the contraction of "would have".

What's the difference between "would have received" and "would receive"?

"Would have received" refers to a hypothetical past event, while "would receive" suggests a future conditional event. For example, "If you apply, you would receive a response" (future) versus "If you had applied, you "would have received" a response" (past).