letter was sent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "letter was sent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a letter has been dispatched or delivered to a recipient. Example: "The letter was sent yesterday, and it should arrive by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The handwritten letter was sent last month.

The New York Times

The letter was sent to us by….

The New Yorker

The letter was sent Aug. 18.

The New York Times

A similar letter was sent to Lexus dealers.

The New York Times

A similar letter was sent directly to Dr. Jaczko.

The New York Times

The last letter was sent in May 1972.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And after the letter was sent, they freed him.

The Guardian - Music

A second letter was sent to the minister in August.

The Guardian

The letter was sent in February 2013.

BBC

One reminder letter was sent after 2 weeks (Fig. 1).

The Journal of Headache and Pain

A letter was sent for each clinic appointment.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "letter was sent", ensure the context clearly indicates who sent the letter and to whom. Specifying the date or method of sending can add clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "letter was sent" without specifying the sender or recipient when the context requires it. This can create ambiguity and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "letter was sent" functions as a passive construction indicating that a letter has been dispatched. As shown by Ludwig, it's commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe the action of sending a letter without emphasizing the sender.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "letter was sent" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the act of dispatching a letter. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usability across various contexts, from formal reports to casual correspondence. While alternatives like "letter has been dispatched" can offer a more formal tone, and active voice constructions like "I sent the letter" can shift the emphasis to the sender, "letter was sent" remains a versatile and clear choice. Remember to provide adequate context regarding the sender and recipient to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

letter has been dispatched

Uses 'dispatched' instead of 'sent', implying a more formal or official tone.

the letter was mailed

Substitutes 'sent' with 'mailed', which is a common and slightly more informal alternative.

the letter was delivered

Emphasizes the completion of the sending process, highlighting the final arrival.

the letter is on its way

Indicates the letter is in transit, focusing on its current state rather than the action of sending.

the letter has been forwarded

Suggests the letter was initially sent to one location and then redirected.

the letter was transmitted

Implies sending the letter electronically or via a formal system.

a letter was issued

Suggests an official or formal release of the letter, often by an organization.

i sent the letter

Changes the sentence from passive to active voice, focusing on the sender.

the communication was sent via post

Replaces 'letter' with 'communication' and specifies the method of delivery.

the letter reached its recipient

Focuses on the letter's arrival rather than its dispatch.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "letter was sent" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "letter has been dispatched" or "a letter was issued", which imply a more official or administrative process.

What's a simpler way to say "letter was sent"?

A simpler alternative is "the letter was mailed", which is easily understandable and widely used.

How does "letter was sent" differ from "letter was delivered"?

"Letter was sent" emphasizes the action of dispatching the letter, while "the letter was delivered" focuses on its successful arrival at the destination. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the sending or the receiving of the letter.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing sending a letter?

Using the active voice, such as "I sent the letter", emphasizes the sender's role. The passive voice, "letter was sent", emphasizes the action itself and is useful when the sender is unknown or less important. The best choice depends on the specific context and what you want to emphasize.