in a letter dated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a letter dated" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to a letter that was sent on a specific date. For example: "In a letter dated June 15th, 2020, I informed my landlord that I would be moving out at the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was in a letter dated Thursday, not on Monday.

The New York Times

The S.E.C. disagreed in a letter dated Jan . 21

The New York Times

She told Michele as much, in a letter dated Nov. 23, 2003.

The New York Times

Chase next approved another trial modification, which it confirmed in a letter dated July 27.

The New York Times

The commission broke the news to Mrs. Plumb in a letter dated May 7.

The New York Times

Twenty-three academic researchers also protested the decision in a letter dated Sept. 22.

The New York Times

Mr. Geren told Mr. Cornyn in a letter dated Monday that Brig.

The New York Times

They apprised Mr. Stossel of their findings in a letter dated Feb. 8.

The New York Times

The president of the society corrected the error in a letter dated Oct. 23.

The New York Times

In a letter dated April 28 , 1970 he compliments Laurence Olivier on playing Shylock.

The New Yorker

Finally, in a letter dated Aug. 3, 1998, the state banished Brown & Root.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "in a letter dated", ensure the date is accurate and verifiable, as it provides important context for the information being presented. This is crucial in legal, historical, and business contexts.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing the date immediately after the phrase "in a letter dated". Separating them with extraneous information can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a letter dated" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb by specifying the time frame or context of an action or statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and standard way to provide a temporal reference to written communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a letter dated" serves as a standard and grammatically sound way to provide context to written correspondence by specifying its date. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct for use in written English. This phrase is frequently used in news, media, encyclopedias, science and business contexts to ensure clarity and provide a temporal reference. When employing this phrase, accuracy in the date is crucial, and care should be taken to avoid ambiguity in sentence structure. For alternative phrasing, options include "as per letter of" or "according to the letter on". Remembering to include the year and correctly punctuate the sentence will help maintain clarity and avoid common writing errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within the letter of

Clarifies that contents or details are specified in the letter dispatched on the date stated.

stated in letter sent

Emphasizes that information comes from a letter dispatched on a specific date.

noted in the letter of

Highlights the inclusion of a note or detail within the letter on a specific date.

as per letter of

Uses a more formal tone to introduce the date of the letter, emphasizing compliance with the mentioned document.

mentioned in the date's letter

Focuses on the contents being specified within the letter of the date mentioned.

as indicated by letter of

Uses a formal tone to show that information is drawn from a letter of a certain date.

in correspondence of

Replaces "letter" with a broader term, but retains the dating context.

according to the letter on

Highlights the content of the letter as of a specific date.

in a message from

Substitutes "letter" with "message", changing the medium of communication but maintaining the temporal reference.

in a previously sent letter on

Indicates reference to a letter dispatched at an earlier time.

FAQs

How to properly format a sentence using "in a letter dated"?

The phrase "in a letter dated" should be followed by the specific date (e.g., "in a letter dated July 14, 2025") and then the relevant information from the letter. For example: "In a letter dated July 14, 2025, the company announced its new policy."

What can I say instead of "in a letter dated"?

You can use alternatives like "as per letter of", "according to the letter on", or "stated in letter sent" depending on the context.

Is it necessary to include the year when using "in a letter dated"?

Yes, including the year provides crucial context, especially when referencing letters from different years. Without the year, it may cause confusion about the timeline of events.

What is the correct punctuation after the phrase "in a letter dated"?

The phrase "in a letter dated" is typically followed by a comma and then the relevant information from the letter. However, if the date is integrated into the sentence, no comma is needed after the date. For example: "In a letter dated July 14, 2025, the company announced...". or "The policy change was outlined in a letter dated July 14, 2025."