Receive vs Received: When To Use Each One In Writing

When it comes to using the English language, it’s easy to get confused between words that seem similar but have different meanings. One such pair of words is “receive” and “received.” While they may seem interchangeable, there are important differences between the two. In this article, we’ll explore the nuances of these words and clarify when to use each one.

It’s important to note that “receive” is a verb, while “received” is the past participle form of “receive.” This means that “received” is used to describe an action that has already happened, while “receive” is used to describe an action that is happening currently or will happen in the future.

So, what do these words mean? “Receive” means to be given or presented with something, while “received” means to have already been given or presented with something. For example, if you receive a package in the mail, it means you have been given the package. If you received a package in the mail, it means you have already been given the package.

It’s important to use the correct form of these words in order to convey the correct meaning. Using “receive” when you mean “received” can make your sentence sound incomplete or confusing. On the other hand, using “received” when you mean “receive” can make your sentence sound awkward or incorrect.

Throughout the rest of this article, we’ll explore some common situations where these words are used and provide examples of when to use each one. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of the difference between “receive” and “received” and be able to use them correctly in your own writing.

Define Receive

Receive is a verb that means to be given or presented with something. It is an action that involves accepting or taking possession of something that has been offered or delivered. The act of receiving can be physical or non-physical, such as receiving a package in the mail or receiving praise for a job well done.

Some synonyms for receive include: obtain, acquire, accept, take delivery of, collect, and gain.

Define Received

Received is the past tense and past participle form of the verb receive. It is used to describe something that has already been accepted or taken possession of. For example, “I received the package yesterday” indicates that the package was delivered and accepted in the past.

Received can also be used as an adjective to describe something that is widely accepted or recognized as true or valid. For example, “the received wisdom on this topic is that it is better to be safe than sorry.”

Some synonyms for received include: accepted, acknowledged, recognized, and established.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the correct form of a word in a sentence can make a significant difference in the clarity and professionalism of your writing. In this section, we will discuss the proper usage of the words “receive” and “received.”

How To Use “Receive” In A Sentence

The word “receive” is a verb that means to be given or presented with something. It can be used in various contexts, such as receiving a gift, receiving an award, or receiving a message. Here are some examples of how to use “receive” in a sentence:

• I will receive my diploma at the graduation ceremony.
• She was thrilled to receive a promotion at work.
• He always receives excellent feedback from his clients.

It is important to note that “receive” is an action that is happening in the present or future tense. If you want to describe an action that already happened in the past, you should use the past tense form of the word, which is “received.”

How To Use “Received” In A Sentence

The word “received” is the past tense form of “receive.” It is used to describe an action that has already happened in the past. Here are some examples of how to use “received” in a sentence:

• She received a letter from her friend yesterday.
• He received a standing ovation for his performance.
• They received a warm welcome from the host.

It is important to note that “received” should not be used in place of “receive” in the present or future tense. Using “received” in the wrong context can lead to confusion and inaccuracies in your writing.

More Examples Of Receive & Received Used In Sentences

In this section, we will provide more examples of how to use the words “receive” and “received” in a sentence. These examples will help you to better understand the context in which these words can be used.

Examples Of Using “Receive” In A Sentence

• She will receive a promotion if she meets her sales targets.
• I will receive my package tomorrow.
• He was happy to receive the award.
• The company will receive a tax break for its charitable donations.
• She is hoping to receive a scholarship to attend college.
• He was surprised to receive a gift from his ex-girlfriend.
• The team will receive a bye in the first round of the playoffs.
• She will receive a raise if she completes her training.
• He was excited to receive an invitation to the wedding.
• The charity will receive all proceeds from the fundraiser.

Examples Of Using “Received” In A Sentence

• She received a standing ovation for her performance.
• I received an email from my boss this morning.
• He received a package from his parents for his birthday.
• The company received a lot of positive feedback about its new product.
• She received a warning for being late to work.
• He received a medal for his bravery in the war.
• The team received criticism for their poor performance in the game.
• She received a call from her doctor with the test results.
• He received a letter from the IRS about his taxes.
• The charity received a large donation from a local business.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “receive” and “received,” many people tend to use them interchangeably. However, this can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Received” As An Adjective

One common mistake is using “received” as an adjective to describe a noun. For example, saying “I have a received email from John” is incorrect. The correct way to say it would be “I have an email that I received from John.” The word “received” should always be used as a past participle verb.

Using “Receive” Instead Of “Get”

Another mistake is using “receive” instead of “get.” While “receive” is a more formal and polite word, “get” is more commonly used in everyday conversation. For example, saying “I received a text from my friend” sounds formal, whereas saying “I got a text from my friend” sounds more casual.

Confusing “Receive” With “Conceive”

Another common mistake is confusing “receive” with “conceive.” While they may sound similar, they have completely different meanings. “Receive” means to be given or presented with something, while “conceive” means to form an idea or plan. For example, saying “I received an idea for a new project” is correct, but saying “I conceived an email from my boss” is incorrect.

Using “Receive” Instead Of “Accept”

Lastly, using “receive” instead of “accept” is also a mistake. While “receive” means to be given something, “accept” means to take or agree to something. For example, saying “I received the job offer” is correct, but saying “I received the job” is incorrect. The correct way to say it would be “I accepted the job.”

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes:

• Always use “received” as a past participle verb, not as an adjective.
• Consider using “get” instead of “receive” in casual conversation.
• Double-check the meaning of the word before using it in a sentence.
• When in doubt, use a dictionary or thesaurus to ensure you are using the correct word.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words “receive” and “received,” context is everything. Both words are forms of the verb “to receive,” but they are used in different ways depending on the situation.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “receive” and “received” might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Correct Form
Present Tense	I receive a lot of emails every day.	Receive
Past Tense	Yesterday, I received a package in the mail.	Received
Passive Voice	The package was received by the recipient yesterday.	Received
Gerund	I am receiving a lot of support from my friends.	Receiving

In the present tense, we use “receive” to talk about something that is happening right now. In the past tense, we use “received” to talk about something that has already happened. In the passive voice, we use “received” to indicate that someone or something else was the recipient of the action. In the gerund form, we use “receiving” to talk about an ongoing action.

It’s important to pay attention to the context in which you are using these words to ensure that you are using the correct form. Using the wrong form can make your writing sound awkward or confusing, so take the time to double-check your work.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using “receive” and “received” are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions to keep in mind.

1. Passive Voice

When using the passive voice, the past participle form of “receive” is used, which is “received”. This is because the subject of the sentence is receiving the action, rather than performing it. For example:

• Incorrect: I was receive a gift from my friend.
• Correct: I was received a gift from my friend.

In this case, “I” is the subject of the sentence, but is not performing the action of receiving the gift. Therefore, “received” is used.

2. Idiomatic Expressions

There are some idiomatic expressions that use “received” rather than “receive”. These expressions have a fixed meaning and cannot be changed. For example:

• Incorrect: I didn’t receive any news about the project.
• Correct: I didn’t get any news about the project.

In this case, “get” is used instead of “receive” because “get” is part of the idiomatic expression “get news”, which means to be informed about something.

3. Different Meanings

Sometimes, “receive” and “received” can have different meanings depending on the context. For example:

• She will receive the award next week. (future tense)
• She received the award last week. (past tense)

In this case, “receive” is used in the future tense to indicate that something will happen in the future. “Received” is used in the past tense to indicate that something has already happened.

Overall, while there are some exceptions to the rules for using “receive” and “received”, they are relatively rare. By following the basic guidelines, you can ensure that your writing is clear and correct.

Practice Exercises

Improving one’s understanding and usage of receive and received can be challenging, but with practice, it can become second nature. Here are some practice exercises to help readers hone their skills:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Fill in the blank with the correct form of receive or received:

1. I __________ a gift from my friend yesterday.
2. She has __________ a promotion at work.
3. They will __________ an award for their outstanding performance.
4. He has __________ many compliments on his new haircut.
5. We __________ a warm welcome from our hosts.

Answer Key:

1. received
2. received
3. receive
4. received
5. received

Exercise 2: Choose The Correct Form

Choose the correct form of receive or received to complete the sentence:

1. He has __________ many awards for his acting.
2. She was happy to __________ a gift from her grandmother.
3. They have not __________ any news about the job yet.
4. We will __________ a warm welcome from our friends.
5. The package was __________ by the recipient yesterday.

Answer Key:

1. received
2. receive
3. received
4. receive
5. received

Exercise 3: Sentence Completion

Complete each sentence with the correct form of receive or received:

1. The team was thrilled to __________ the championship trophy.
2. She has __________ many compliments on her new dress.
3. They will __________ a reply from the company soon.
4. He was surprised to __________ a letter from his old friend.
5. We have not __________ any updates on the project.

Answer Key:

1. receive
2. received
3. receive
4. receive
5. received

By practicing these exercises, readers can improve their understanding and usage of receive and received. Remember to pay attention to the context and tense of the sentence to determine which form to use. With time and practice, using these words correctly will become second nature.

Conclusion

After examining the differences between “receive” and “received,” it is clear that understanding the nuances of grammar and language use is crucial for effective communication. Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind:

Key Takeaways

• The word “receive” is the present tense form, while “received” is the past tense form.
• It is important to use the correct tense in order to convey the intended meaning and avoid confusion.
• Other factors, such as context and word choice, can also impact the interpretation of a sentence.
• Improving one’s grammar and language use can lead to clearer and more effective communication.

By continuing to learn about grammar and language use, readers can enhance their writing and speaking skills and become more confident and effective communicators.