sent earlier

USAGE SUMMARY

"sent earlier" is correct and can be used in written English when referring to something that has been previously sent or communicated.
For example, "I have attached the documents you sent earlier for your review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

A spokesman for the private London hospital, where the pregnant Duchess had been treated for a severe form of morning sickness, said the letter was sent earlier today.

Independent

"An email was sent earlier today from The New York Times in error.

TechCrunch

A telegram sent earlier to the Queen had asked her to use her influence towards securing a reprieve.

The Guardian

Did you not get my email to carson (royce) [Yeung's PA] I sent earlier recording our agreement.

The Guardian - Sport

In his letter, Melville included a new "right" version of the poem and asked Bliss to publish it instead of the draft he had sent earlier.

The New York Times

We sent appeal letters along with pledge cards to previous donors who had not responded to the solicitation mailer sent earlier in that academic year.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

He laid out arguments for a third party in a memorandum sent earlier this month to news organizations.

The New York Times

The natural life of the surge will end in 2008, when the brigades sent earlier this year will finish their fifteen-month tours and return home.

The New Yorker

Fourteen Senate Democrats, led by Dick Durbin and Amy Klobuchar, raised the issue with Obama in a letter sent earlier this year.

The Guardian

The report was sent earlier this week to the Commons standards committee, which is expected to release it with very few amendments in the near future.

The Guardian

Reetz-Laiolo's lawsuit, which names Cline, her publisher, and her literary agent as defendants, left out the sexually explicit material included in the draft sent earlier this year.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sent earlier", ensure the context clearly establishes what was sent and the time frame being referenced to avoid ambiguity. Be specific about the mode of communication if relevant, such as "emailed earlier" or "texted earlier".

Common error

Avoid using "sent earlier" without a clear reference to what was sent or the specific time frame. For instance, instead of saying "as I sent earlier", specify "as I emailed the report earlier today" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sent earlier" functions as a past participle phrase modifying a noun, indicating that something was dispatched or communicated before the current time or a specific reference point. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sent earlier" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to refer to something previously transmitted or communicated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and understood. It functions to provide context and reference prior actions, ensuring clarity in communication. While its register is generally neutral, it is frequently found in news and media contexts. When using "sent earlier", clarity and specificity are key to avoiding vagueness and ensuring effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously transmitted

Emphasizes the act of transmitting something at a prior time, suitable for formal contexts.

submitted previously

Highlights the action of submitting something in a prior time.

forwarded beforehand

Highlights the action of forwarding something in advance.

transmitted in advance

Emphasizes the transmission happening before a certain point in time.

previously conveyed

Emphasizes the act of conveying information at a prior time, suitable for formal contexts.

dispatched ahead of time

Focuses on the act of dispatching with an emphasis on the timing.

communicated beforehand

Focuses on the act of communicating something in advance.

emailed before

Specifies that the communication was sent via email at an earlier time.

messaged previously

Specifically refers to sending a message at an earlier time.

telegraphed earlier

An older term for sending a message, useful in historical contexts.

FAQs

How do I use "sent earlier" in a sentence?

You can use "sent earlier" to refer to something you previously transmitted. For example, "I hope you received the email I "sent earlier"" or "The report I "sent earlier" contains all the details".

What can I say instead of "sent earlier"?

Alternatives include "previously transmitted", "forwarded beforehand", or "dispatched ahead of time", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "send earlier"?

While "send earlier" is grammatically possible, it's less common and often requires additional context, such as "Please send it earlier next time." "Sent earlier" typically refers to a completed action in the past.

What's the difference between "sent earlier" and "sent previously"?

"Sent earlier" implies a specific time reference in the past, while "sent previously" simply indicates that something was sent at some unspecified point in the past. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the timing.