an email

USAGE SUMMARY

"an email" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific electronic communication sent via email, for example: I had to send an email to confirm my travel arrangements.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sending an email?

Independent

Send us an email.

The New Yorker

Send Greg Hunt an email.

The Guardian

Or an email.

The Guardian - Sport

Here's an email.

The Guardian - Sport

It was an email.

The Guardian - Opinion

Send an email though.

The Guardian

You get an email.

The Guardian - Books

And an email.

The Guardian - Sport

"Send him an email.

The Guardian - Opinion

Want to send us an email?

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific email, use "an email" to maintain grammatical correctness. For example, "I received an email this morning."

Common error

Avoid using "email" without an article (a/an) when referring to a single, countable instance. Saying "I got email" is grammatically incorrect; instead, say "I got "an email"" or "I got some email".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an email" functions as a noun phrase, specifically as a singular, countable noun referring to a single instance of electronic mail. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used, with many examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

36%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an email" is a grammatically sound and highly prevalent phrase used to denote a single instance of electronic mail communication. It enjoys broad acceptance across varied registers, particularly within news and media, as well as wiki contexts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable in most situations where a specific email is referenced. When using the term, ensure correct grammatical form by including the article "an", and avoid non-standard usages like omitting the article altogether. Alternatives such as "electronic mail" or "digital message" may be used for variety or formality, but "an email" remains a versatile and readily understood option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a message via email

Specifies the medium of the communication more explicitly.

an electronic mail

Uses a more formal synonym for email.

a digital letter

Emphasizes the letter-like nature of email.

a notification by email

Highlights the function of the email as a notification.

a mailed correspondence

Focuses on the exchange of messages.

a dispatched message

Focuses on the act of sending or dispatching the message.

a submitted message

Highlights the act of sending the email.

a note sent electronically

Emphasizes the electronic nature of the note.

a written communication

Broadens the scope to any form of written message.

a piece of correspondence

Generic term for any type of written communication.

FAQs

How to use "an email" in a sentence?

You can use "an email" to refer to a specific electronic message. For example, "I sent "an email" to confirm the meeting."

What can I say instead of "an email"?

You can use alternatives like "electronic mail", "digital message", or "message via email" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "an email" or "a email"?

"An email" is correct because "email" starts with a vowel sound. The article "an" is used before vowel sounds, while "a" is used before consonant sounds.

Is it correct to say "I received email" instead of "I received an email"?

While "I received email" might be understood, it's grammatically better to say "I received "an email"" if you're referring to a specific message or "I received email messages" if you're talking about email in general.