as mail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as mail" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to something being treated or considered in the same way as mail, but without additional context, it is unclear. Example: "Please send the documents as mail to ensure they arrive safely."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

The post office has struggled as mail volume has declined.

The New York Times

As mail comes in, it is filtered into stacks, which are similar to folders.

The New York Times

Wright succeeded Jonathan Holborow as Mail on Sunday editor in 1998.

The Guardian

The other is that, as Mail executives themselves say, it's separate – deliberately "different".

The Guardian

Second, there are new-style apps such as Mail and Sticky Notes.

The Guardian - Tech

Spores presumably were stirred up and transported as mail was sorted and delivered.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

With Peggy as account director and Pete Campbell as mail-room stripling.

Independent

A TAX dispute as old as mail-order catalogues turned into warfare this month.

The Economist

Another piece of good news: The tax relief bill that Congress passed last year mandated that Medicare pay retailers the same amount as mail-order companies.

The New York Times

The business started as mail-order but as of this writing has 14 locations (some showrooms, some stores equipped with on-hand optometrists).

The Guardian - Business

Scott had seen his slim lead shrink even further as mail-in and provisional ballots rolled in.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If using "as" to mean "like" or "such as", ensure the context clearly indicates this intended meaning. Otherwise, opt for more precise alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "as mail" when a clearer prepositional phrase is available. "As" can be ambiguous, and using more specific prepositions like "via" or "through" can improve clarity and prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as mail" functions primarily as a prepositional modifier, attempting to specify a manner or method. As noted by Ludwig, its grammatical correctness is questionable, making it less effective in formal writing. Examples show it used to describe how something is sent, treated, or classified.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as mail" appears frequently across diverse sources, yet Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically questionable. While it attempts to function as a prepositional modifier specifying a method or manner, its ambiguity often undermines its intended purpose. Given this, it's generally advisable to opt for more explicit alternatives like "via mail", "through the mail", or "such as mail" to ensure clarity and avoid potential misinterpretations. Although present in neutral, formal, and informal contexts, it is advisable to use it carefully and eventually replace it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

like mail

Replaces "as" with "like" to indicate similarity.

such as mail

Uses "such as" to introduce mail as an example.

in the form of mail

Specifies the format or method of delivery.

via mail

Indicates mail as the means of transmission.

through the mail

Highlights the mail system as the medium.

sent by mail

Emphasizes the action of sending via postal service.

delivered as mail

Focuses on the delivery method.

considered as mail

Implies a categorization or classification.

treated as mail

Highlights how something is handled or processed.

classified as mail

Focuses on the official designation or labeling.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "as mail" to indicate a method of delivery?

Alternatives include "via mail", "through the mail", or "sent by mail", which are more explicit and less ambiguous.

When is it appropriate to use "as mail"?

While "as mail" appears in various contexts, it's often better to use a more precise phrase to avoid ambiguity. For example, "classified as mail" is clearer when referring to categorization.

What's the difference between "as mail" and "like mail"?

"Like mail" is generally used to indicate similarity or resemblance, while "as mail" is intended to specify treatment or handling. However, "as mail" can be grammatically awkward, so consider alternatives like "such as mail".

Is "as mail" grammatically correct?

Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase "as mail" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English. It's advisable to use alternative phrasings for improved clarity.