Acknowledgement of receipt meaning in English

Learn how to use Acknowledgement of receipt correctly with Gymglish.
Test and improve your English. Start your free trial today.

TEST YOUR ENGLISH Free trial and no commitment to buy
4,7 on App Store, Play Store and Trustpilot More than 8 million learners worldwide

Definition

an acknowledgement of receipt: a confirmation that a letter/product/payment has been received idiom
to acknowledge, to confirm receipt of (a letter): to confirm that (a letter) was received idiom

Examples

  • "30% (remaining balance) to be paid within 30 days of acknowledgement of receipt."
  • "I would be grateful if you could confirm receipt of this letter."
Exercise 1
Fill in the blanks below with terms used in the letter. Use the descriptions to help you.

This expression describes an official notice that something (such as merchandise) has been received. "After you get the package, please be sure to send me an of ."

A describes what is left over or what remains of a sum of money, after a transaction for example.

A day is a day on which businesses are open. Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays are not such days.

A is the place or name of the place where a request for payment is sent. It can be a home or a business. (2 words)

A clause in a contract may stipulate that if certain terms are not honored, one party can cancel the contract. The contract then becomes and .

A date is the day on which items sold will be received by the buyer.

Fill in the blanks below with terms used in the letter. Use the descriptions to help you.

This expression describes an official notice that something (such as merchandise) has been received. "After you get the package, please be sure to send me an acknowledgement 1 of receipt 2."

A balance 3 describes what is left over or what remains of a sum of money, after a transaction for example.

A working 4 day is a day on which businesses are open. Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays are not such days.

A billing address 5 is the place or name of the place where a request for payment is sent. It can be a home or a business. (2 words)

A clause in a contract may stipulate that if certain terms are not honored, one party can cancel the contract. The contract then becomes null 6 and void 7.

A delivery 8 date is the day on which items sold will be received by the buyer.
1 acknowledgement: An "acknowledgement of receipt" is an official confirmation of reception (for merchandise or a letter for example) sent by a recipient to the sender. This type of confirmation has a few names in English-speaking countries and is sometimes even called an "AR" (avis de réception). Other terms include "a return receipt" or "notice of receipt". Acknowledgments of receipt can be sent either by the recipient or by the postal service or delivery service (UPS, DHL etc) making the delivery. On its own the term "acknowledgement" describes the confirmation of something (an email or letter for example).
2 receipt: An "acknowledgement of receipt" is an official confirmation of reception (for merchandise or a letter for example) sent by a recipient to the sender. This type of confirmation has a few names in English-speaking countries and is sometimes even called an "AR" (avis de réception). Other terms include "a return receipt" or "notice of receipt". Acknowledgments of receipt can be sent either by the recipient or by the postal service or delivery service (UPS, DHL etc) making the delivery. Note that in a different context a receipt can also describe proof or documentation of a purchase.
3 balance: The "balance" of a sum of money is what remains after part of it has been deducted or paid. For example: I had 100 dollars in my account. After buying a 20 dollar book, the remaining balance of the account is 80 dollars. In Cheryl's order, it is specified that the remaining balance (of the total amount owed to the Delavigne Corporation) will be paid within 30 days of the delivery date of the merchandise.
4 working: A "working" (or "business") day is any day of the week in which people normally work. In the United States, these days exclude Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays. If a package is supposed to arrive in 10 business days, then it may take 14 days to actually arrive, as weekends aren't counted in the time of delivery.
5 billing address: A "billing address" is the address to which a bill or demand of payment will be sent. It may be a home or business. We distinguish "shipping addresses" and "billing addresses" because companies often have separate account and billing offices which manage payments and sales as opposed to shipping addresses (which might be warehouses for example). In Cheryl's order, the billing address is in Palo Alto, California.
6 null: The expression "null and void" is often found in the conditions of contracts, license agreements, warrantees and other legal documents. It describes the cancellation, or the invalidity of an agreement or document when certain conditions aren't met, or simply annuls the deal. In Cheryl's order, it is specified this order becomes "null and void" if the conditions for payment aren't respected.
7 void: The expression "null and void" is often found in the conditions of contracts, license agreements, warrantees and other legal documents. It describes the cancellation, or the invalidity of an agreement or document when certain conditions aren't met, or simply annuls the deal. In Cheryl's order, it is specified this order becomes "null and void" if the conditions for payment aren't respected.
8 delivery: A "delivery" date is the date upon which a "shipment" arrives (by air, ground or sea) at its destination. In Cheryl's letter she specifies a delivery date (October 31st) by which time she wants to receive the merchandise purchased from the Delavigne Corporation. Although Cheryl might not specify the "shipping date" (the day the items will be sent or "shipped" out), she is likely to specify the day she expects to receive the shipment from Delavigne. The conditions of payment also specify that Sheik Jafar will send one installment on the delivery date and the final payment within 30 days of the delivery.
Exercise 2
Imagine that you have some formal correspondence to write.

Each of the following formulas has a corresponding action. Pick the best action for each.
Example:
"In reference to..."
Referring to a prior letter/email
"As a follow-up to..."
"Please find enclosed..."
"Below you will find..."
"I acknowledge receipt of..."
"Attached you will find..."

Imagine that you have some formal correspondence to write.

Each of the following formulas has a corresponding action. Pick the best action for each.
Example:
"In reference to..."
Referring to a prior letter/email
"As a follow-up to..."
Referring to a prior meeting/phone call 1
"Please find enclosed..."
Sending a letter with a cheque 2
"Below you will find..."
Highlighting information 3
"I acknowledge receipt of..."
Confirming you have received an order 4
"Attached you will find..."
Adding a file to an email 5
1 Referring to a prior meeting/phone call: This is correct. The formula "as a follow-up to..." is used to refer to a prior or previous phone call or meeting. Example: As a follow up to our meeting on October 12th, please find this month's sales figures. Note that the formula "following (our meeting last Tuesday)" can also be used with little change in meaning.
1 Sending a letter with a cheque: This line is unlikely to be used when sending a letter with a cheque.
1 Highlighting information: This line is unlikely to be used when highlighting information.
1 Confirming you have received an order: This line is unlikely to be used when confirming reception of an order.
1 Adding a file to an email: This line is unlikely to be used when attaching or adding a file to an email.
2 Sending a letter with a cheque: This is correct. The formula "please find enclosed..." comes from the verb "to enclose (a cheque)" which means to insert it into the same envelope or package. Example: Please find enclosed a photo of the new department building, I sit on the fifth floor! Note the US spelling of this term: "check".
2 Referring to a prior meeting/phone call: This line is unlikely to be used to refer to a prior meeting or phone call.
2 Highlighting information: This line is unlikely to be used when highlighting information.
2 Confirming you have received an order: This line is unlikely to be used when confirming reception of an order.
2 Adding a file to an email: This line is unlikely to be used when attaching or adding a file to an email. We don't "enclose" a file to an email, we "attach" it.
3 Highlighting information: This is correct. The expression "below you will find..." is commonly used in written correspondence to introduce or highlight information which is situated "below". Example: Below you will find details of the job that is being advertised. Brian uses a similar formula ("Below are...") to highlight the advantages of his recommended travel agency.
3 Referring to a prior meeting/phone call: This line is unlikely to be used to refer to a prior meeting or phone call.
3 Sending a letter with a cheque: This line is unlikely to be used when sending a letter with a cheque.
3 Confirming you have received an order: This line is unlikely to be used when confirming reception of an order.
3 Adding a file to an email: This line is unlikely to be used when attaching or adding a file to an email.
4 Confirming you have received an order: This is correct. "To acknowledge receipt of (an order)" is a formal expression used in written correspondence to indicate that you have received an order. Example: We (hereby) acknowledge receipt of your income tax form.
4 Referring to a prior meeting/phone call: This line is unlikely to be used to refer to a prior meeting or phone call.
4 Sending a letter with a cheque: This line is unlikely to be used when sending a letter with a cheque.
4 Highlighting information: This line is unlikely to be used when highlighting information.
4 Adding a file to an email: This line is unlikely to be used when attaching or adding a file to an email.
5 Adding a file to an email: This is correct. To "attach (a file to an email)" is to add it to the email, or include it as an "attachment". Example: Please find attached my CV and covering letter for the advertised post. Note the difference between "enclosing (a document with a letter)" and "attaching (a file to an email)".
5 Referring to a prior meeting/phone call: This line is unlikely to be used to refer to a prior meeting or phone call.
5 Sending a letter with a cheque: This line is unlikely to be used when sending a letter with a cheque.
5 Highlighting information: This line is unlikely to be used when highlighting information.
5 Confirming you have received an order: This line is unlikely to be used when confirming reception of an order.

Still unsure of the best way to use 'Acknowledgement of receipt'? Improve your English thanks to our online English lessons. We offer a free test as well as a free level assessment!

What our users say:

Pleasure

         

I enjoy doing my online English lessons. Only ten minutes daily are enough...Thank you!

Innovative

         

I love your innovative method which allows me to learn a new language and have fun at the same time!

Unique

         

Your method is unique! Your courses have helped me to progress and gain confidence during my travels.

Progress

         

Gymglish has allowed me to improve my English. A daily routine I wouldn't miss for anything in the world!

More testimonials.

Test your English with Gymglish today and get a free level assessment

Absolutely free - no strings attached.