Have you ever typed “recieved” and paused for a moment, wondering whether it actually looks right? You are definitely not alone. One of the most common English spelling mistakes involves the words recieved or received.
The short answer is simple: received is correct, while recieved is a misspelling.
However, understanding why received is spelled this way can help you avoid making the same mistake in emails, assignments, social media posts, and professional documents. In this guide, we’ll explain the difference between recieved or received, the grammar rule behind the spelling, its meaning, and an easy trick to remember it.
Recieved or Received: Which Is Correct?
If you’re asking “recieved or received which is correct?”, the correct spelling is:
Received
The incorrect spelling is:
Recieved
The word received is the past tense and past participle of the verb receive. It means that someone has gotten, accepted, or been given something.
Examples of received in a sentence
- I received your email this morning.
- She received a gift for her birthday.
- We received the package yesterday.
- He received an award for his hard work.
- Your payment has been received.
So, whenever you are deciding between recieved or received, remember that received is always the correct spelling.
Why Do People Spell Received as “Recieved”?
The confusion usually happens because of the famous English spelling rule:
“I before E, except after C.”
The word receive follows this rule because the letters ie come after the letter c. Therefore, the correct spelling is:
re + ceive = receive
When changed into the past tense, it becomes:
received
Many people accidentally reverse the letters and write recieved, but this spelling is incorrect.
Is It Recieved or Received?
If you’re wondering, “Is it recieved or received?”, the answer is clear:
Correct: Received
Incorrect: Recieved
The correct spelling contains “ei” after the letter c:
R-E-C-E-I-V-E-D
A useful way to break down the word is:
re + ceive + d = received
This can make it easier to see why the letters appear in that particular order.
Recieved or Received Meaning
The received meaning generally refers to getting or accepting something.
For example:
- I received a message.
This means I got a message. - She received an invitation.
This means someone gave or sent her an invitation. - The company received your application.
This means the company got your application.
The word can be used for many different things, including:
- Emails
- Messages
- Gifts
- Packages
- Payments
- Awards
- Information
- Applications
Received Meaning in Different Contexts
The meaning of received can change slightly depending on the situation.
Received an Email or Message
When someone says:
“I received your email.”
It means they successfully got the email.
Received a Gift
For example:
“She received a beautiful gift.”
This means someone gave her a gift.
Received Payment
Businesses often use phrases such as:
“Payment received.”
This means the payment has successfully arrived or been accepted.
Received an Award
For example:
“He received an award for his work.”
This means he was given an award or honor.
Recieved or Received Grammar Rule
The confusion around recieved or received grammar comes from the placement of the letters i and e.
The word receive follows the commonly taught spelling pattern:
I before E, except after C.
Because ei comes after the letter c, the correct spelling is:
- Receive
- Received
- Receiver
- Receiving
Similar words include:
- Conceive
- Deceive
- Perceive
These words also use ei after c.
How to Remember the Correct Spelling of Received
Spelling mistakes are easier to avoid when you have a simple memory trick.
Remember: “C comes before EI”
In the word received, look at this section:
C + EI
So instead of remembering the entire word, focus on the middle:
reC EI ved
You can also remember:
After C, use EI in receive.
This simple trick can help you remember the spelling when writing quickly.
Common Incorrect Spellings of Received
People sometimes make several spelling variations when writing the word. Here are some common mistakes:
- Recieved
- Receved
- Receieved
- Recive
The correct forms are:
- Receive
- Received
- Receiving
- Receiver
Received vs Receive: What Is the Difference?
Although these words are closely related, they are used differently.
Receive
Receive is the base form of the verb.
Example:
I will receive the package tomorrow.
Received
Received is the past tense or past participle.
Example:
I received the package yesterday.
Here’s a simple comparison:
| Word | Usage | Example |
| Receive | Present or future action | I will receive the email. |
| Received | Past action | I received the email. |
| Receiving | Ongoing action | I am receiving messages. |
Which Is Correct: Recieved or Received?
If you’re asking “which is correct recieved or received?”, there is only one correct answer:
Received is correct.
Recieved is not considered a correct spelling in standard English.
This applies whether you’re writing:
- A professional email
- A school assignment
- A job application
- A social media post
- A business message
- A formal document
Using received ensures your writing is grammatically correct and professional.
Examples of Received in Everyday Sentences
Here are some examples to help you understand how the word is used naturally:
- I received your message yesterday.
- Have you received my email?
- She received a scholarship.
- We received the documents on Monday.
- The customer received their order.
- He received a promotion at work.
- Your application has been received successfully.
- I haven’t received any updates yet.
These examples show how commonly the word appears in both casual and professional communication.
Common Phrases Using Received
You may often see received in these expressions:
- Message received
- Payment received
- Application received
- Order received
- Email received
- Documents received
- Successfully received
- Well received
What Does “Well Received” Mean?
The phrase well received has a slightly different meaning depending on the context.
For example:
“The new product was well received by customers.”
This means people reacted positively to the product.
So, received can mean either physically getting something or being accepted positively, depending on how it is used.
Why Correct Spelling Matters
A small spelling mistake might not seem important, but correct spelling can make your writing clearer and more professional.
For example, writing:
“I recieved your email.”
may be understandable, but it contains a spelling error.
Writing:
“I received your email.”
looks more polished and professional.
This is especially important in:
- Job applications
- Business emails
- Academic writing
- Client communication
- Professional websites
- Social media captions
Taking a few seconds to check commonly confused words can improve the overall quality of your writing.
Quick Trick: How Do You Spell Received?
If you forget how to spell the word, use this simple method:
Step 1: Start with “re”
RE
Step 2: Add “ceive”
CEIVE
Step 3: Add “d” for the past tense
RECEIVED
The final correct spelling is:
R-E-C-E-I-V-E-D
Not:
R-E-C-I-E-V-E-D
The letters EI are the key difference.
Recieved or Received? A Quick Comparison
| Incorrect | Correct |
| Recieved | Received |
| I recieved your email. | I received your email. |
| Payment recieved. | Payment received. |
| She recieved a gift. | She received a gift. |
Whenever you’re unsure about recieved or received, choose received.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is recieved or received correct?
Received is correct. Recieved is a misspelling.
Which is correct: recieved or received?
The correct spelling is received.
Why is received spelled with EI?
The word follows the common spelling pattern “I before E, except after C.” Since the letters come after C, the spelling uses EI.
What does received mean?
Received means getting, accepting, or being given something. For example, if you received a message, you got that message.
Is “I received your email” correct?
Yes. “I received your email” is grammatically correct and commonly used in professional communication.
How do you spell received correctly?
The correct spelling is:
R-E-C-E-I-V-E-D
Can I use recieved in informal writing?
No. Recieved is still incorrect, even in informal writing. The correct spelling is always received.
What is the difference between receive and received?
Receive refers to the base form of the verb, while received is generally used for something that happened in the past.
For example:
- I will receive the package tomorrow.
- I received the package yesterday.
Conclusion
The confusion between recieved or received is extremely common, but the correct spelling is always received. The easiest way to remember it is to focus on the letters EI after the letter C.
Whether you’re writing an email, completing an assignment, sending a business message, or posting online, using received instead of recieved will keep your writing accurate and professional.
So the next time you stop and wonder, “recieved or received?”, remember the answer: received is correct, and recieved is a misspelling.
For more helpful English grammar and commonly confused word guides, explore related articles on spelling mistakes, grammar rules, and everyday English usage.
