sent by post

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sent by post" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a method of sending something through the postal system. Example: The package was sent by post and arrived at its destination three days later.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some were sent by post, and the rest by what he euphemistically called "special routes".

The Economist

The internet pharmacies crossed their fingers and hoped drugs sent by post would also be let through.

The Economist

– even printouts sent by post.

TechCrunch

One covers behaviour in and around football matches, the other relates to messages sent by post or by electronic means.

BBC

Questionnaires were sent by post in the language of the recipient (English, French, German or Portuguese), with requests to complete and return them in postage-paid envelopes.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

When the prescription was sent by post or fax, the patient also had to pay an additional administration fee of about 7 Euro (54 NOK).

Health Economics Review

Copies of the underground newspapers were distributed anonymously, with some pushed into letterboxes or sent by post.

Wikipedia

Two reminders were sent by post.

BMC Psychiatry

The questionnaire was sent by post in October 2005.

BMC Public Health

For each centre, 300 invitations were sent by post.

BMC Health Services Research

4 A standardised questionnaire was sent by post to all patients.

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sent by post", ensure clarity regarding whether you are referring to standard postal service or a specific courier service. For formal contexts, consider alternatives like "mailed via postal service".

Common error

Avoid using "sent by post" when time-sensitive delivery is crucial. This phrase implies a standard, potentially slower delivery method. Instead, specify a faster option like "sent by express mail" or "couriered".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sent by post" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the method of delivery. It describes how something was transmitted from one location to another, specifically through the postal service. Ludwig examples show its use in both formal and informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sent by post" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the act of sending something through the postal service. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used and accepted. Its prevalence in scientific and news contexts indicates its versatility across different registers. While alternatives like "mailed via postal service" or "dispatched through the mail" exist, "sent by post" remains a straightforward and widely understood expression. It's important to consider the urgency of the delivery when using this phrase, as it generally implies standard postal speeds.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

posted to

A simple and direct alternative, often used in British English.

mailed via postal service

Focuses on the formal action of mailing something through an official postal system.

dispatched through the mail

Highlights the act of sending something out using the postal service.

shipped via mail

Emphasizes the shipping aspect using the postal service.

forwarded by mail

Implies that the item is being sent on to a new location via postal channels.

transmitted by regular mail

Specifies the use of standard postal services.

transmitted through postal system

A more formal and technical way to describe sending something by post.

sent via surface mail

Refers to sending items through standard post, often by ground or sea.

delivered by postman

Highlights the delivery aspect and the person who delivers the mail.

couriered via postal network

Combines the idea of a courier service with the postal system.

FAQs

What does "sent by post" mean?

The phrase "sent by post" means that something was dispatched or delivered through the regular postal service, as opposed to other methods such as email or courier.

What's a more formal alternative to "sent by post"?

In formal contexts, you can use alternatives like "mailed via postal service" or "transmitted through postal system".

Is "sent by post" the same as "sent by mail"?

Yes, "sent by post" and "sent by mail" are largely interchangeable, although "sent by post" is more common in British English, while "sent by mail" is more frequently used in American English.

When should I not use "sent by post"?

Avoid using "sent by post" if the item was sent through a courier service or delivered electronically. Use more specific terms like "sent by courier" or "emailed" in those cases.