got a letter from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got a letter from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to receiving a letter from someone, typically in informal contexts. Example: "I got a letter from my friend yesterday, and it made my day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then she got a letter from DeLillo.

The New Yorker

Soon after that, I got a letter from Haysom.

The New Yorker

"Later that week, I got a letter from her.

The New York Times

I understand you got a letter from the Russian.

Independent

"I got a letter from Learning Prep," Hunter said.

The New York Times

Then I got a letter from a Mrs Schiller.

The Guardian - Books

And then I got a letter from a Mrs Schiller.

The Guardian - Books

Then I got a letter from Olga, the donor's daughter.

The New York Times - Magazine

But then yesterday, we got a letter from him.

The New York Times

He got a letter from the counsel of the U.S.O.C.

The New York Times - Sports

"I got a letter from Doug Rivers but no $10".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider more formal alternatives like "received a letter from" in professional or academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "got a letter from" in formal communication; instead, opt for "received a letter from" or "was in receipt of a letter from" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got a letter from" functions as a declarative statement indicating the receipt of a letter from a specific sender. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a valid and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "got a letter from" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe receiving a letter, as verified by Ludwig AI. While perfectly acceptable in informal settings, more formal alternatives like "received a letter from" are better suited for professional or academic writing. Predominantly found in news and media sources, this phrase serves to inform the recipient about the receipt of communication, often leading to further sharing of the letter's contents or a related discussion. Remember to consider your audience and the context when choosing between "got a letter from" and its more formal counterparts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received correspondence from

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of receiving a formal letter.

heard from via mail

Specifies the communication medium as mail.

a letter came from

Simple and direct alternative focusing on the origin of the letter.

was sent a letter by

Highlights the sender's action of sending the letter.

a letter reached me from

Highlights how the letter reaches the speaker.

obtained a letter from

A more formal way of saying 'got a letter'.

was in receipt of a letter from

Highly formal and emphasizes being in possession of the letter.

had a letter arrive from

Focuses on the arrival of the letter.

the post brought a letter from

Emphasizes the postal service as the delivery method.

a letter arrived courtesy of

Highlights a third party in letter arrival.

FAQs

What does "got a letter from" mean?

The phrase "got a letter from" means that you received a physical letter sent by someone through the postal service or another delivery method.

What can I say instead of "got a letter from"?

You can use alternatives like "received a letter from", "heard from via mail", or "was sent a letter by" depending on the context.

Is "got a letter from" grammatically correct?

Yes, "got a letter from" is grammatically correct and commonly used in informal contexts. In more formal settings, "received a letter from" is preferred.

When is it appropriate to use "got a letter from"?

It is appropriate to use "got a letter from" in casual conversations, personal emails, or informal writing. For professional or academic settings, "received a letter from" is a better choice.