sent in error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sent in error" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that was mistakenly sent or done. Example: "I apologize for the inconvenience, but the email you received was sent in error. Please disregard it and accept my sincere apologies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The university claimed that the letters had been sent "in error".

Vice

It was sent in error".

Independent

He told me the landbanking brochure was sent in error and promised me a new one.

The Guardian - Money

This does not appear to be a message that had been casually sent in error.

The Guardian

A few weeks later she received printed form advising her bill had been sent in error.

The New Yorker

Even some Department of Homeland Security officials questioned whether it was sent in error.

The New York Times

UEA apologises unreservedly for email sent in error to 320 American Studies students.

The Telegraph

They were sent in error, hospital officials said, but she feared she would have to pay them.

The New York Times - Science

During the Old Bailey hearings, the prosecution argued that there was evidence that Downey's letter had been sent in error.

The Guardian

Comment on an alumni paper sent in error to a man who did not attend the school.

The New Yorker

It was evidently sent in error when police were trying to contact another family member, and the local divisional commander later apologised in person.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sent in error" when clarifying that a message or item was dispatched due to a mistake, especially in formal communications.

Common error

Avoid using "sent in error" in extremely casual conversations. Simpler terms like "oops, wrong person" or "my bad" are more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sent in error" functions as a post-positive adjective, modifying a noun (often 'message', 'email', 'document', or 'letter'). It indicates that the item was dispatched mistakenly. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showcasing its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academic

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sent in error" is a common and correct way to describe an item or message dispatched by mistake. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts, including news reports, formal communications, and even scientific articles. It functions as an adjective phrase clarifying an unintended dispatch. While versatile, it is more suitable for neutral to formal situations, with simpler alternatives available for very informal settings. Remember to use it when you want to clearly explain that something was mistakenly dispatched.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mistakenly transmitted

Focuses on the incorrect act of transmitting something.

erroneously dispatched

Emphasizes the error in the dispatch or sending process.

inadvertently forwarded

Highlights the unintentional aspect of forwarding something.

wrongly delivered

Shifts the focus to the incorrect delivery of an item or message.

incorrectly issued

Highlights that something was issued erroneously.

undeliberately communicated

Focuses on the lack of intention behind the communication.

unintentionally released

Suggests that information or an item was released without meaning to.

accidentally conveyed

Emphasizes the accidental nature of the conveyance.

by mistake transmitted

Reorders the words to emphasize the error in transmission.

not meant to be sent

Explicitly states the lack of intention for sending.

FAQs

How to use "sent in error" in a sentence?

You can use "sent in error" to explain why someone received something they shouldn't have, for example: "The email you received was "sent in error", please disregard it."

What can I say instead of "sent in error"?

Alternatives include phrases like "mistakenly transmitted", "erroneously dispatched", or simply "sent by mistake" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "sent in error" or "send in error"?

"Sent in error" is the correct phrasing. "Sent" is the past participle of "send" and is needed to indicate that the action of sending has already occurred. "Send in error" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "sent in error" and "misdirected"?

"Sent in error" implies the item should not have been sent at all, while "misdirected" suggests it was sent to the wrong recipient but was intended to be sent to someone.