sent by mail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'sent by mail' is correct and usable in written English.
It is most often used to refer to physical objects being shipped via the postal service. For example, "I received my new laptop sent by mail yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Before a 1986 change in the law, ammunition could not be legally sent by mail.

The New York Times

Please check the box that indicates that the letter will be sent by mail.

Columbia University

Course grades were sent by mail to each student’s campus address.

Princeton University

Registration forms sent by mail must be postmarked by this date.

The Washington Post

In 2000, approximately 10percentt of ballots were sent by mail.

The Washington Post

Donations may also be sent by mail.

Forbes

Your policy is then sent by mail for your signature.

Forbes

To maximise the response rate, a reminder was sent by mail to the non-responders after 6 weeks.

Gynecological Surgery

Alternatively, letters may be sent by mail or e-mail when participants have been selected from registers that provide addresses.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

It filed with the NJ BPU and sent by mail to interested parties.

Huffington Post

The questionnaire was sent by mail.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider alternatives like "delivered by post" or "dispatched via postal service" for increased clarity.

Common error

Avoid sentences where the subject receiving the item is unclear. Instead of "The letter was sent by mail", consider "The organization sent the letter by mail" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sent by mail" functions as a prepositional phrase typically used as an adverbial modifier to indicate the method of delivery. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase refers to physical objects being shipped via the postal service, as shown in many examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sent by mail" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to describe the action of sending something via the postal service. Ludwig AI confirms this, highlighting its broad usage across diverse contexts such as scientific research, news reporting, and formal business communications. While alternatives like "mailed" and "delivered by post" exist, "sent by mail" remains a versatile and widely understood option for specifying the method of delivery.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mailed

This is a single-word verb form of "mail", directly indicating the action of sending something via postal service.

dispatched via postal service

This alternative explicitly specifies the method of sending, using more formal language.

shipped through the mail

This alternative uses "shipped" which suggests a broader range of items, not just letters.

delivered by post

This is a more formal and internationally recognized way of saying "sent by mail".

transmitted via mail

This suggests a formal or official communication was sent.

forwarded by mail

This implies the item was previously sent somewhere else before being mailed.

sent via postal delivery

This alternative uses more descriptive language, emphasizing the method of delivery.

posted

Commonly used in British English, this alternative is a direct synonym for "mailed".

sent through the post office

This explicitly mentions the institution involved in the delivery.

airmailed

This specifies that the item was sent via airmail, indicating faster delivery.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "sent by mail" in a professional context?

In a professional context, consider using more formal alternatives such as "delivered by post" or "dispatched via postal service".

Is it redundant to say "sent by postal mail"?

Yes, "postal mail" is somewhat redundant since mail typically implies postal service. "Sent by mail" is sufficient.

What's the difference between "mailed" and "sent by mail"?

"Mailed" is the verb form, while "sent by mail" is a phrase. "I mailed the package" and "The package was sent by mail" are both grammatically correct.

Can I use "sent via mail" instead of "sent by mail"?

Yes, "sent via mail" is grammatically correct and conveys the same meaning. The choice between "sent via mail" and "sent by mail" often comes down to personal preference or style.