arrive in the mail

USAGE SUMMARY

"arrive in the mail" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe when an item is received by mail, either physical mail or electronic mail. Example: I received the documents I requested in the mail yesterday.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They arrive in the mail.

The New York Times

They arrive in the mail as little chicks.

The New York Times

That winter, an application did arrive in the mail.

The New Yorker

As of Tuesday, Valpak coupons, which usually arrive in the mail, will be available to users.

The New York Times

Wedding invitations from the ex-sucias start to arrive in the mail.

The New Yorker

When brochures from these schools arrive in the mail, they often look the same.

The New Yorker

Besides his own LP's, he listens to tapes and CD's that arrive in the mail.

The New York Times

Surprise, you're starring in Facebook ads! Did your check not arrive in the mail?

The Washington Post

Two weeks later, your one-of-a-kind shoes arrive in the mail.

The New York Times - Tech

"Your employment-authorization cards will arrive in the mail," she told them.

The New Yorker

Every day, as usual in this season of charity, pleas for money arrive in the mail.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "arrive in the mail" when you want to emphasize the receiving of something through the postal service, whether it's a letter, package, or document. For example: "The contract should "arrive in the mail" within a week."

Common error

Avoid using "by mail" when you mean to highlight the arrival event. "By mail" typically describes the method of sending, not the act of receiving. Saying "I sent it by mail" is correct, but "It arrived by mail" is less precise than "It arrived in the mail".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arrive in the mail" functions as a predicate in a sentence, typically describing when a physical item or document is received through the postal service. It indicates the completion of the delivery process. Ludwig confirms the proper usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

13%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "arrive in the mail" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the receipt of items through postal delivery. Ludwig confirms its proper usage. It is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts but is also found in academic and informal settings. The phrase serves primarily to inform about the arrival of mailed items, with related phrases like "be delivered by mail" offering alternative ways to express similar ideas. When using the phrase, it's important to focus on the act of receiving rather than just the method of sending, making "arrive in the mail" more specific than "arrive by mail" in many contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be delivered by mail

This alternative focuses on the action of delivery rather than the arrival.

come through the post

This is a more British English phrasing, using "post" instead of "mail".

be received via mail

This phrase emphasizes the method of receiving the item.

be sent by mail

This shifts the focus to the sender's action rather than the receiver.

land in the mailbox

This is a more informal and visual way to describe the arrival.

turn up in the post

Similar to "come through the post", this is a British English alternative.

show up by mail

This is a more casual way of saying something arrived.

be dispatched by mail

This highlights the sending action from a business or official standpoint.

be shipped to my address

This phrasing is more common when referring to packages or goods.

get here by post

This uses a simpler verb, “get”, and the British term “post”.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "arrive in the mail"?

You can use alternatives such as "be delivered by mail", "come through the post", or "be received via mail" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "arrived by mail" instead of "arrive in the mail"?

While "arrived by mail" isn't grammatically incorrect, "arrive in the mail" specifically emphasizes the act of something being received, whereas "by mail" simply describes the method of delivery.

What does "arrive in the mail" mean?

It means that something that was sent through the postal service has been received at the intended destination. For example, "The invitation should "arrive in the mail" next week."

Is "arrive in the mail" formal or informal?

The phrase "arrive in the mail" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, as long as the context refers to mail.