Receive vs. Received — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 20, 2024
"Receive" is the present tense form of the verb, indicating the act of getting or accepting something currently, while "received" is the past tense and past participle form, referring to having gotten or accepted something in the past.
Difference Between Receive and Received
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Key Differences
"Receive" denotes the action of getting, accepting, or being given something in the present or future. It suggests that the process is happening now or is expected to happen. For instance, "I receive a package every month" implies a current or ongoing action. On the other hand, "received" is used to describe an action that has already taken place. For example, "I received a package yesterday" indicates that the action occurred in the past.
In terms of usage, "receive" is often found in instructions or descriptions of current processes, indicating an expectation of action. "Please receive the guests at the entrance," demonstrates an immediate or future action. Conversely, "received" is used in recounting events or actions that have been completed, as in reports or narratives about past events: "The guests were received at the entrance."
The choice between "receive" and "received" also affects the tone and clarity of communication. Using the correct form helps to accurately convey whether an action is ongoing, imminent, or completed, which is crucial in formal writing, instructions, and storytelling.
"Receive" can be used to express habitual actions or general truths, while "received" typically refers to specific instances or actions in the past. The distinction between these forms highlights the importance of tense in English grammar, affecting the meaning and temporal context of sentences.
Comparison Chart
Tense
Present
Past tense and past participle
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Indicative of
Current or future actions
Actions completed in the past
Usage Example
"I receive newsletters from the organization."
"I received an award for my work last year."
Context
Instructions, ongoing processes
Narratives, completed events
Implication
Expectation of action
Action has already occurred
Compare with Definitions
Receive
To get something.
We receive new stock every Monday.
Received
Acquired earlier.
They received confirmation yesterday.
Receive
To accept formally.
The company will receive the delegation at noon.
Received
Entertained or hosted in the past.
We received our friends over the weekend.
Receive
Habitual reception.
She receives hundreds of messages daily.
Received
Got in the past.
He received high praise for his work.
Receive
To be the recipient of.
I receive emails about the event.
Received
Welcomed previously.
The guests were received with enthusiasm.
Receive
To welcome or entertain.
The community center receives new members warmly.
Received
Was awarded.
She received the scholarship last year.
Receive
To take or acquire (something given or offered); get or be given
Receive a present.
Received
Having been accepted as true or worthy, especially without firsthand corroboration
"the received wisdom that attributes academic success or failure to natural aptitudes" (Jerome Karabel).
Receive
To be the person who gets (something sent or transmitted)
Receive an email.
Received
Simple past tense and past participle of receive
Receive
(Sports) To catch or get possession of (a pass or a kicked ball, for example).
Received
Generally accepted as correct or true.
Receive
To have (a title, for example) bestowed on oneself.
Received
Conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers;
Standard English
Received standard English is sometimes called the King's English
Receive
To hear or see (information, for example)
Receive bad news.
Received
Widely accepted as true or worthy;
The accepted wisdom about old age
A received moral idea
Received political wisdom says not; surveys show otherwise
Receive
To perceive or acquire mentally
Receive a bad impression.
Receive
To regard with approval or disapproval
Ideas that were received well.
Receive
To listen to and acknowledge formally and authoritatively
The judge received their oath of allegiance.
Receive
To take in and convert (radio waves, for example) into an electrical signal or into an audio or visual output.
Receive
To experience or be subjected to; meet with
Receive sympathetic treatment.
Receive
To have inflicted or imposed on oneself
Receive a penalty.
Receive
To bear the weight or force of; support
The beams receive the full weight of the walls and roof.
Receive
To take or intercept the impact of (a blow, for example).
Receive
To be exposed to or withstand
The hillside cottage receives strong winds.
Receive
To take in, hold, or contain
A tank that receives rainwater.
Receive
To admit or accept
Receive new members.
Receive
To greet, welcome, or be visited by
Receive guests.
Receive
To acquire or get something; be a recipient.
Receive
To admit or welcome guests or visitors
The couple are not receiving this winter.
Receive
To partake of the Eucharist.
Receive
To convert incoming electromagnetic signals into sound, light, or electrical signals.
Receive
(Sports) To receive a pass or a kicked ball, for example.
Receive
To take, as something that is offered, given, committed, sent, paid, etc.; to accept; to be given something.
She received many presents for her birthday.
Receive
(law) To take goods knowing them to be stolen.
Receive
To act as a host for guests; to give admittance to; to permit to enter, as into one's house, presence, company, etc.
To receive a lodger, visitor, ambassador, messenger, etc.
Receive
To allow (a custom, tradition, etc.); to give credence or acceptance to.
Receive
(telecommunications) To detect a signal from a transmitter.
Receive
(sports) To be in a position to take possession, or hit back the ball.
Receive
To be in a position to hit back a service.
Receive
(American football) To be in a position to catch a forward pass.
Receive
To accept into the mind; to understand.
Receive
(telecommunications) An operation in which data is received.
Receive
To take, as something that is offered, given, committed, sent, paid, or the like; to accept; as, to receive money offered in payment of a debt; to receive a gift, a message, or a letter.
Receyven all in gree that God us sent.
Receive
Hence: To gain the knowledge of; to take into the mind by assent to; to give admission to; to accept, as an opinion, notion, etc.; to embrace.
Our hearts receive your warnings.
The idea of solidity we receive by our touch.
Receive
To allow, as a custom, tradition, or the like; to give credence or acceptance to.
Many other things there be which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots.
Receive
To give admittance to; to permit to enter, as into one's house, presence, company, and the like; as, to receive a lodger, visitor, ambassador, messenger, etc.
They kindled a fire, and received us every one.
Receive
To admit; to take in; to hold; to contain; to have capacity for; to be able to take in.
The brazen altar that was before the Lord was too little to receive the burnt offerings.
Receive
To be affected by something; to suffer; to be subjected to; as, to receive pleasure or pain; to receive a wound or a blow; to receive damage.
Against his will he can receive no harm.
Receive
To take from a thief, as goods known to be stolen.
Receive
To bat back (the ball) when served.
Who, if we knewWhat we receive, would either not acceptLife offered, or soon beg to lay it down.
Receive
To receive visitors; to be at home to receive calls; as, she receives on Tuesdays.
Receive
To return, or bat back, the ball when served; as, it is your turn to receive.
Receive
Get something; come into possession of;
Receive payment
Receive a gift
Receive letters from the front
Receive
Receive a specified treatment (abstract);
These aspects of civilization do not find expression or receive an interpretation
His movie received a good review
I got nothing but trouble for my good intentions
Receive
Recieve (perceptual input);
Pick up a signal
Receive
Of mental or physical states or experiences;
Get an idea
Experience vertigo
Get nauseous
Undergo a strange sensation
The chemical undergoes a sudden change
The fluid undergoes shear
Receive injuries
Have a feeling
Receive
Express willingness to have in one's home or environs;
The community warmly received the refugees
Receive
Accept as true or valid;
He received Christ
Receive
Bid welcome to; greet upon arrival
Receive
Convert into sounds or pictures;
Receive the incoming radio signals
Receive
Experience as a reaction;
My proposal met with much opposition
Receive
Have or give a reception;
The lady is receiving Sunday morning
Receive
Receive as a retribution or punishment;
He got 5 years in prison
Receive
Partake of the Holy Eucharist sacrament
Receive
Regard favorably or with disapproval;
Her new collection of poems was not well received
Common Curiosities
What is the significance of using "received"?
"Received" indicates that an action of getting or accepting something has already occurred in the past.
How do you use "receive" in a sentence?
"Receive" is used to denote the action of getting or accepting something currently or in the future, e.g., "I receive my salary on the last day of the month."
Can "received" be used in passive sentences?
Yes, "received" is often used in passive constructions to describe actions done to the subject, e.g., "The award was received by the team."
How does tense affect the choice between "receive" and "received"?
The choice depends on the timing of the action; "receive" for present or future actions, and "received" for actions that happened in the past.
What does it mean to receive something?
To receive something means to get, accept, or be given it, typically in the present or future.
Are there any exceptions to the use of "receive" and "received"?
While the basic distinction is clear, nuances like aspect (perfect, continuous) can affect their use, but generally, the main guideline is the timing of the action.
How does context influence the use of "receive" vs. "received"?
The context—whether discussing current actions, future plans, or past events—directly influences the choice between these two forms to convey the correct temporal meaning.
What does "well-received" mean?
"Well-received" describes something that has been accepted or approved of in a positive manner by others.
Is "receive" only used for physical items?
No, "receive" can refer to getting physical items, messages, guests, and abstract concepts like information or awards.
How do verb tenses impact the meaning of "receive" and "received"?
Verb tenses determine whether the action is ongoing, expected, or has already been completed, affecting the temporal context of the communication.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
