Conjugation of "Receive" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage
To get or accept something given or sent.
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All 12 Tenses of "Receive"
Quick reference table — every tense form of "receive" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.
| Tense | Example (I) | Quick rule |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | I receive |
Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule → |
| Simple Past | I received |
Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule → |
| Simple Future | I will receive |
Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule → |
| Present Continuous | I am receiving |
Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule → |
| Past Continuous | I was receiving |
Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule → |
| Future Continuous | I will be receiving |
Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect | I have received |
Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect | I had received |
Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect | I will have received |
Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect Continuous | I have been receiving |
Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect Continuous | I had been receiving |
Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect Continuous | I will have been receiving |
Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule → |
Past Tense of "Receive" — Received
The past simple of "receive" is "received" — formed by adding "-ed". Use it for actions that were completed at a specific time in the past, such as "yesterday", "last week", or "in 2020". For the full grammar of this tense, see our simple past tense guide.
- I received a letter yesterday. A1
Past Participle of "Receive" — Received
The past participle of "receive" is "received" — the same form as the past simple, since "receive" is a regular verb. Use it after "have/has/had" for perfect tenses ("I have received") and after "be" for passive voice ("It was received").
- I received a letter yesterday. A1
Is "Receive" Regular or Irregular?
"Receive" is a regular English verb. Its past simple and past participle are both formed by adding "-ed" to give "received". The 3rd-person singular present is "receives" and the gerund/present participle is "receiving".
Conjugation pattern: regular -ed
How to Pronounce "Receive" and Its Forms
Receive: /rɪˈsiːv/ — Stress pattern: oO
Stress second syllable: ruh-SEEV.
Common mispronunciation of "receive"
Some learners stress first syllable incorrectly.
Syllable breakdown: re · ceive
How to Use "Receive" — Common Grammar Patterns
Use with object; cannot receive without something.
V + object (receive something)be received + by
Example Sentences with "Receive" in Different Tenses
- Simple Present: Did you receive my email? A1
- Simple Past: I received a letter yesterday. A1
Common Collocations with "Receive"
- receive a gift — She received a beautiful gift.
- receive a letter — I received a letter from my university.
- receive a call — He received a phone call from his mother.
- receive news — We received good news today.
- receive a visitor — She is receiving a visitor at 3pm.
When to Use "Receive" vs Similar Verbs
Smart synonyms — when to use each one
- get — informal word meaning to obtain
- accept — actively agreeing to take something offered
Antonyms: give, send
Common Mistakes with "Receive"
-
Wrong: I recieve a package.
Correct: I receive a package.
Spelling: "receive" (not "recieve"); remember "i before e" exception. -
Wrong: They receive the package yesterday.
Correct: They received the package yesterday.
Use past tense "received" for past time. -
Wrong: She is receiving by a gift.
Correct: She is receiving a gift. / She receives a gift.
No preposition before the object; passive would be "is being received".
Other Forms of "Receive"
- Noun: receiver
Conjugation Tables for "Receive"
Negative Forms
- Simple present: I do not receive · He does not receive
- Simple past: I did not receive · She did not receive
- Present perfect: I have not received · He has not received
Question Forms
- Simple present: Do you receive? · Does he receive?
- Simple past: Did you receive?
- Present perfect: Have you received?
Passive Voice (where applicable)
- Simple present passive: It is received
- Simple past passive: It was received
- Present perfect passive: It has been received
Frequently Asked Questions About "Receive"
- Is "receive" regular or irregular?
- "receive" is a regular verb. Add -ed for past simple and past participle: "received".
- What is the past tense of "receive"?
- The simple past of "receive" is "received".
- When do I use simple present vs present continuous with "receive"?
- Use simple present for habits, facts, and routines: "I receive every day." Use present continuous for actions happening right now: "I am receiving right now."
- What's a common mistake with "receive"?
- Spelling: "receive" (not "recieve"); remember "i before e" exception. Wrong: "I recieve a package." Correct: "I receive a package."