Received With Thanks: Meaning, Usage, and Examples
In day-to-day communication, some phrases pop up more often than others. One such phrase is “Received with thanks.” It seems simple. It feels polite. But is it always the best choice? And when exactly should you use it? In both personal and professional settings, this small phrase carries more weight than you might expect.
Let’s unpack its meaning, figure out when it fits, and look at better alternatives when needed.
What Does “Received With Thanks” Mean?
The phrase “received with thanks” is a brief acknowledgment. It tells the sender that you’ve received what they sent—usually a document, payment, or item—and that you’re grateful.
It’s most often used in emails or written messages, especially in business settings. People use it to confirm receipt without going into much detail. It sounds polite. It shows appreciation. But it also keeps the message short and efficient.
Still, it might come off as stiff or overly formal in casual settings. So, knowing where and when to use it is key.
When to Use “Received With Thanks” in Daily Conversation
This phrase isn’t something you say during dinner or while texting your friend about a ride. It belongs more to the world of emails, work messages, and formal notes.
Here are some examples:
- Business Emails: When your colleague sends the final version of a report, a quick “Received with thanks” confirms you got it.
- Invoices and Payments: If someone transfers payment, replying with “Received with thanks” signals both receipt and gratitude.
- Document Submission: HR sends your contract? You reply with a short note saying it was received, with thanks.
It’s quick. It’s polite. But in more casual situations, like texting a friend who sent you a song link, it would feel awkward. In that case, a simple “Thanks! Got it.” does the job.
20 Alternatives to “Received With Thanks”
Let’s say you want to shake things up. Maybe “received with thanks” feels too formal, too short, or a bit robotic. Here are 20 alternative phrases you can use depending on the situation:
| Alternative Phrase | Meaning | Definition | Scenario Example | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Got it, thanks! | Acknowledged with appreciation | Informal way of saying you’ve received and appreciated something | “Got it, thanks! I’ll take a look shortly.” | Quick email confirmations, internal messages |
| Thanks, received. | Acknowledged receipt politely | Slightly formal acknowledgment with gratitude | “Thanks, received. All looks good on my end.” | Work emails, polite confirmations |
| All received, thank you. | Everything has been received | A complete receipt confirmation | “All received, thank you for the prompt delivery.” | Project handovers, file submissions |
| Acknowledged with thanks. | Noted and appreciated | Slightly more formal than “received” | “Acknowledged with thanks. Will proceed accordingly.” | Contractual or corporate communication |
| Many thanks – I’ve received it. | Grateful and clear | Adds a friendly tone to the confirmation | “Many thanks – I’ve received it and will review later today.” | Client emails, collaboration |
| I appreciate it—received. | Shows gratitude clearly | Puts focus on appreciation rather than just receipt | “I appreciate it—received and saved to our system.” | Working with partners or vendors |
| Everything came through fine, thanks. | All contents intact and received | A more detailed acknowledgment | “Everything came through fine, thanks. No issues.” | When receiving files, packages, or deliverables |
| Received loud and clear. | Strong confirmation | Often used with verbal or written instructions | “Received loud and clear. I’ll get started ASAP.” | Internal teams, instructions, informal comms |
| Noted with thanks. | Information has been recorded and appreciated | Formal but commonly used | “Noted with thanks. We’ll update the records.” | Policy updates, info sharing, HR emails |
| File received, much appreciated. | You got the file and you’re thankful | Slightly casual but respectful | “File received, much appreciated. Looks good!” | Creative work, shared assets |
| Thanks for sending this across. Got it. | Confirming and appreciating the effort | Combines acknowledgement and gratitude | “Thanks for sending this across. Got it in one piece.” | Collaborative or cross-department work |
| Confirmed, thank you. | Explicit confirmation | More formal than “got it” | “Confirmed, thank you. This completes our records.” | Admin tasks, approvals |
| Cheers, received. | Casual and friendly | British-flavored, friendly confirmation | “Cheers, received. Will follow up soon.” | Teams, colleagues, casual work chats |
| All good on my end, thanks. | Everything is received and fine | Casual and reassuring | “All good on my end, thanks. Let’s move ahead.” | Peer communications, updates |
| Thanks—everything’s in order. | All is well and received | Conveys that not just received, but reviewed | “Thanks—everything’s in order. Nicely done.” | Vendor submissions, reviews |
| Got everything—appreciate it! | Received and thankful | Acknowledges receipt of multiple items | “Got everything—appreciate it! Will loop back soon.” | Reports, multi-part files |
| Received and noted. | Confirmation and acknowledgement | Common formal workplace phrase | “Received and noted. Will take appropriate action.” | Policy updates, executive comms |
| Thanks, I’ve got it from here. | Acknowledgement and ownership | Implies you’ll take things forward | “Thanks, I’ve got it from here. I’ll handle the next steps.” | When someone hands off work to you |
| All documents received, thanks. | Specifies what was received | Adds specificity | “All documents received, thanks. Everything’s accounted for.” | Legal or contract paperwork |
| Much obliged – it’s with me now. | Polite gratitude | Slightly traditional, but warm | “Much obliged – it’s with me now and I’ll get cracking.” | When writing with a touch of charm or tradition |
Each version carries a slightly different tone. Some feel more formal. Others lean friendly. Pick the one that fits the moment.
You may like also – “I Will Keep You Posted”: Meaning, Usage, and Polite Alternatives
Examples of “Received With Thanks” in Emails and Messages
Now let’s look at how you might actually use “received with thanks” in real emails or work chats. These examples can help you visualize its tone and see where alternatives might work better.
1. Business Email Reply
Subject: Q2 Sales Report
Hi Maria,
Received with thanks. I’ll review the report this afternoon and get back to you with feedback.
Best,
David
2. Payment Confirmation
Subject: Payment Receipt – Invoice #8472
Hello,
Payment received with thanks. Please let us know if you need anything further.
Regards,
Client Services
3. Internal Team Chat
- Sarah: Just uploaded the assets for the campaign.
- You: Received with thanks!
4. Job Application Submission
Dear Jane,
We’ve received your documents with thanks. Our team will be in touch within 5 business days.
Kind regards,
Hiring Team
5. Freelancer Confirmation
Hi Alex,
Received with thanks. The files are in order.
Best,
Rachel
Depending on the formality of the conversation, you can tweak it to be warmer or more neutral. Adding a sentence or two can soften it or personalize your tone.
Conclusion
“Received with thanks” is a simple phrase. But like a lot of things in communication, it carries context. It’s short and polite. It works best in professional emails, receipts, and document exchanges. But it can sound stiff or impersonal in the wrong setting.
Knowing when and how to use it can make your messages feel smoother and more appropriate. And when you want something with more warmth or less formality, you’ve got plenty of solid alternatives to try.
Next time you need to confirm receipt, take a second. Choose a phrase that fits the tone of the message and the person you’re speaking with. After all, it’s the little phrases that shape the tone of your communication.
And hey—message received, with thanks for reading.
