by postal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by postal" is not commonly used in written English and may sound incomplete or awkward.
It can be used when referring to sending something through postal mail, but it is often better to use a more complete phrase. Example: "Please send the documents by postal service to the following address."

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the move was vigorously opposed by postal unions, some lawmakers, and business and residential customers.

The New York Times

Advances in computer and message transmission technologies are, however, being utilized by postal administrations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most of the fan mail that comes to me by postal mail is nuts.

The New York Times

But to Issa, the ecosystem is full of inefficiencies covered by postal customers.

The Guardian

"Blackburn was a very difficult place to campaign – 37% of votes were cast by postal ballot.

The Guardian

At the local level, areas are often identified by postal district.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Rigases had been under surveillance by postal inspectors beginning on Monday, preparing for the arrest.

The New York Times

"But the fact that that situation was caused by postal delays suggests Ticketmaster got it right".

The Guardian - Sport

The F.B.I. said Mr. Reeves ordered the tapes from a company run undercover by postal inspectors.

The New York Times

Questionnaires were sent by postal mail to all patients.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

The study sample was provided with a written letter by postal mail.

Injury Epidemiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying the method of delivery in instructions or official communication, "by postal" can be acceptable if followed by sufficient details.

Common error

Avoid using "by postal" without specifying what is being sent or the purpose of the postal communication. For instance, instead of saying "replies were sent by postal", specify "replies were sent by postal mail".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by postal" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the means by which something is transmitted or delivered. It indicates that the postal system is the method used for sending something, as seen in Ludwig's examples where questionnaires are sent "by postal mail" or samples are received "by postal service".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by postal" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating that something is sent or received through the postal system. While acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests that it may sound incomplete. Alternatives like "by mail" or "via postal service" may be clearer and more common, especially in formal writing. Its use is concentrated in scientific and news media contexts. When you opt to use the phrase, clarify the purpose and what is sent, as in "by postal mail" rather than just "by postal".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by mail

A shorter and more frequently used alternative to "by postal".

via postal service

Replaces "by" with "via" and specifies "service" for clarity and formality.

through the postal system

Explicitly references the entirety of the postal infrastructure.

using postal delivery

Emphasizes the action of using the postal system for delivery.

through the mail

Uses a more common and general term for postal delivery.

through postal channels

Implies a formal process or system for postal delivery.

via the post office

Specifies the institution responsible for the delivery.

with postal shipment

Highlights the act of shipping something via the postal system.

by surface mail

Clarifies the shipment will be made by a regular, not expedited, postal service.

by courier

Indicates delivery via a specialized postal service with expedited delivery.

FAQs

What is a more common way to say "by postal"?

A more common way to express "by postal" is to say "by mail", which is generally more concise and widely understood.

Is it correct to say "by postal" or should I use "via postal service"?

Both "by postal" and "via postal service" are acceptable, but "via postal service" is often preferred in formal contexts because it's more explicit.

What does "by postal" mean?

"By postal" means that something is delivered or sent through the postal system, involving services provided by a post office or mail carrier.

When should I use "by postal" instead of "by email"?

Use "by postal" when you are referring to physical mail delivered through the postal service. Use "by email" when referring to electronic mail sent over the internet.