letter

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "letter" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a written or printed communication between two people (or groups of people). For example, "The company sent out letters to their employees informing them of the new change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"People must be held to account for their actions under the rule of law and in the case of Mr Downey clearly a dreadful mistake was made by him receiving that letter".

The Guardian

In effect, Di Girolamo was being asked to help draft a letter to himself.

The Guardian

In one instance, Koelma sent a draft letter from O'Farrell's office in support of AWH's bid for a lucrative public-private partnership to the water company's chief executive, Nick Di Girolamo, asking him for input.

The Guardian

I want to make sure you can use it as an indirect letter of support for your project so you can go back to Walt [Secord, chief of staff for then-premier Kristina Keneally]." Earlier in the day, Liberal MP Marie Ficarra denied arranging for a property developer to give $5,000 to Eightbyfive to skirt electoral funding laws that prohibited political parties from accepting such donations.

The Guardian

In a letter handed out by activists to managers at each Shell station, John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace UK, wrote: "28 activists and two journalists remain in detention after the seizure of our ship Arctic Sunrise by armed Russian Federal Security Bureau agents.

The Guardian

In the letter, Bachmann wondered how Abedin was not disqualified for a US security clearance "given what we know from the international media about Abedin's documented family connections with the extremist Muslim Brotherhood".

The Guardian

The strength of feeling in the party was highlighted on Sunday when 20 current and former Tory constituency association chairmen delivered a letter to No 10 warning that the bill would inflict "significant damage" to the party in the runup to the next election.

The Guardian

A final project could involve writing a report or a letter to a congressman.

The Guardian

Labor's letter said the government should "negotiate with our international partner countries to ensure appropriate standby and evacuation management arrangements for any Australian personnel".

The Guardian

When interviewed, aspiring journalists with disabilities said the issues that concerned them most were: whether or not to disclose their disability in a covering letter with their CV; if they had the right image for the employer; and whether or not the disability would affect their ability, or perceived ability, to perform a task.

The Guardian

"If I leave my disability out of my cover letter, they would still see me in a wheelchair when I go for an interview.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In business contexts, consider the recipient's communication preferences. While traditional letters maintain formality, emails offer a quicker, more direct alternative. Use "letters" for official documentation, but opt ​​for other methods for every day communication.

Common error

Avoid confusing the noun "letter", referring to a written communication or character of the alphabet, with the adjective "latter", which means the second of two things mentioned.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "letter" is a noun. It commonly refers to a written or printed communication or a character in an alphabet. Ludwig AI examples show its usage in various contexts, such as receiving a "letter" or referring to alphabetic "letters".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "letter" is a versatile noun with multiple meanings, primarily referring to a written communication or a character in the alphabet. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, ranging from formal business correspondence to informal notes. While often used in neutral and formal registers, it's crucial to avoid confusing it with the adjective "latter". Effective communication involves understanding these nuances, ensuring clarity and precision in writing. When in doubt, consider the context and purpose of your message to choose the most appropriate synonym or alternative expression. Remember to proofread for errors in grammar and spelling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

correspondence

Refers to the exchange of letters.

missive

A more formal and literary term for a letter.

official document

Highlights the formal and authoritative nature of the communication.

written communication

Emphasizes the act of communicating in written form, broader than just a letter.

dispatch

Implies sending something quickly, like an official communication.

note

A shorter, often less formal written message.

memorandum

A formal note, often used in business.

message

A general term for conveying information, can be written or oral.

email

A digital form of a letter.

report

A detailed account, usually formal.

FAQs

How can I use "letter" in a sentence?

You can use "letter" to refer to a written communication, such as: "I received a "letter" from my bank today." It can also refer to a character in the alphabet: "The word 'hello' starts with the "letter" 'h'.

What are some synonyms for "letter" in the context of written communication?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "missive", "note", or "correspondence".

Is it better to send a "letter" or an email?

The choice between sending a "letter" or an email depends on the context. A formal "letter" is often preferred for official or sensitive communications, while email is more convenient and faster for everyday correspondence.

What's the difference between a "letter" and a "report"?

A "letter" is typically a direct communication between individuals or organizations, while a "report" is usually a more detailed and structured document presenting information or analysis.