receive an email

Meaning

This phrase means to get or obtain an electronic mail message sent by someone else. While 'get an email' is more common in casual spoken English, 'receive an email' is frequently used in business and professional contexts to confirm communication.

Examples

• Did you receive an email from the HR department regarding the holiday schedule?

  Did you receive an email from the HR department regarding the holiday schedule?

• I received an email yesterday confirming that my application was accepted.

  I received an email yesterday confirming that my application was accepted.

• Please let me know as soon as you receive an email with the contract details.

  Please let me know as soon as you receive an email with the contract details.

• She was surprised to receive an email from the CEO directly.

  She was surprised to receive an email from the CEO directly.

• We receive dozens of emails every day from prospective clients.

  We receive dozens of emails every day from prospective clients.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I didn't received an email from him.

  ✓ I didn't receive an email from him.

  After auxiliary verbs like 'did' or 'didn't', we must use the base form of the verb ('receive'), not the past tense ('received').

• ✗ I am waiting to receive to an email.

  ✓ I am waiting to receive an email.

  'Receive' is a transitive verb, meaning it takes a direct object. You do not need the preposition 'to' after it.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you do not ___ by Friday, please contact our support team.

  💡 get an electronic message

  Show answer

  receive an email

• I was relieved to finally ___ confirming my flight booking.

  💡 get a digital message in my inbox

  Show answer

  receive an email