sent by

USAGE SUMMARY

"sent by" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to describe the person or entity who sent something, such as a letter, email, or package. Example: The package was sent by a courier service.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Have they been sent by the Chinese?

The New York Times - Books

Sent by God!

The Guardian

17 sent by registered post.

Cornell University

The Koran, sent by computer?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Updates are sent by text message.

The Washington Post

They counted two ballots sent by fax.

The New York Times

"This is a present sent by God".

The New York Times

Has she been sent by the Boss?

The New Yorker

A motorcycle sent by an anonymous supporter.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

I felt he was sent by God".

Huffington Post

– even printouts sent by post.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sent by", ensure that the context clearly identifies both the sender and the recipient. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using alternative prepositions like "send to" when you mean "sent by". "Sent to" indicates the recipient, while "sent by" indicates the sender.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sent by" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, noun, or adjective by indicating the agent or source responsible for sending something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common and correct phrase used to denote the sender.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sent by" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to clearly indicate the sender of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely recognized and accepted in written English. It is most frequently found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. Alternatives like "dispatched by" or "transmitted by" can be used for different nuances, but the core meaning remains consistent. When writing, it's crucial to ensure clarity by specifying both the sender and recipient to avoid ambiguity. Be mindful of common errors, such as confusing "sent by" with "sent to", which indicates the receiver.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dispatched by

Focuses on the act of sending, often implying a more formal or official context.

transmitted by

Suggests the act of conveying a message or signal, typically electronically.

forwarded by

Implies the act of passing something on from a previous sender or location.

delivered by

Highlights the action of bringing something to a destination.

issued by

Indicates an official source or authority that has released something.

provided by

Emphasizes the act of supplying or making something available.

originating from

Focuses on the place or source where something began.

from the office of

Implies a more formal or official context of originating.

coming from

Indicates the source or location from which something is arriving.

authored by

Highlights the person or entity that wrote or created something.

FAQs

What is the difference between "sent to" and "sent by"?

"Sent to" indicates the recipient of something, while "sent by" identifies the sender. For example, "The letter was sent to John" means John received it, whereas "The letter was sent by Mary" means Mary was the sender.

How can I rephrase "sent by" to sound more formal?

In a more formal context, you might use phrases such as "dispatched by", "transmitted by", or "issued by" depending on the specific context. For example, instead of "The memo was sent by the manager", you could say "The memo was issued by the manager."

Is it ever incorrect to use "sent by"?

It's generally grammatically correct. However, ensure the context is appropriate and clear. If the agent sending the message is unclear, rephrase to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "The email was sent by", specify "The email was sent by the automated system".

What are some alternatives to "sent by" that emphasize delivery?

If you want to emphasize the delivery aspect, consider using phrases like "delivered by", "forwarded by", or "transported by" depending on the mode of delivery and the context. Using delivered "by" focuses on the action of bringing something to a destination.