sign letter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sign letter" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to refer to the action of signing a letter, but as it stands, it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "Please remember to sign the letter before sending it out."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

READ MORE: Hundreds of women sign letter alleging sexual harassment in government.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Only three managers can write cheques or sign letters.

The Economist

So there are two sides to this debate, however many angry experts sign letters.

The Guardian - Arts

Dead men don't sign letters.

Huffington Post

Recruits can sign letters of intent on Feb. 1.  .

Los Angeles Times

The sign letters (black) and picture (black and red) were easily visible for all patients in the waiting room.

BMC Family Practice

A few months later their legal team sent through a signed letter of approval.

The Guardian

It comes with a signed letter from Steve himself.

TechCrunch

And today, @ChrisCuomo obtained the signed letter itself.

Huffington Post

This article has been updated with the signed letter and list of lawmakers who sent it.

Huffington Post

Write a signed letter of resignation.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the action of signing a letter, use the correct grammatical structure: "sign the letter" or "sign a letter", depending on whether you're referring to a specific letter or a general type of letter.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "sign letter" without the necessary article ("a" or "the"). The absence of an article makes the phrase grammatically incorrect and unclear. Instead, specify which letter is being signed by saying "sign the letter" or "sign a letter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sign letter" functions as a verb-noun combination where "sign" is the verb indicating the action of endorsing or authenticating, and "letter" is the noun representing the object being acted upon. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase needs an article to be grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "sign letter" appears in various sources, it's considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is improved by adding the article "a" or "the" before "letter". Correct usage depends on whether you are referring to a specific letter ("sign the letter") or a general instance of signing a letter ("sign a letter"). Common contexts include news media, wiki articles, and formal business communications, but its infrequency suggests using the grammatically correct alternatives for clarity and precision. To avoid errors, always include the appropriate article.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sign the letter

Adds the definite article "the", making it refer to a specific letter.

endorse the letter

Replaces "sign" with "endorse", emphasizing approval or support.

countersign the letter

Indicates a secondary signature for verification or agreement.

sign a letter of intent

Specifies the type of letter being signed, implying a formal agreement.

sign a letter of resignation

Indicates the specific type of letter being signed.

sign a formal letter

Adds "formal" to describe the type of letter.

put your signature on the letter

Uses a more descriptive phrase for the act of signing.

affix your signature to the letter

Replaces "sign" with the more formal "affix your signature".

validate the letter with a signature

Focuses on the act of validating the letter.

authenticate the letter

Uses a broader term, "authenticate", to imply verifying the letter's genuineness through a signature.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "sign letter"?

The correct phrasing depends on the context. Use "sign the letter" when referring to a specific letter, or "sign a letter" when speaking generally about the act of signing a letter. For example, "Please "sign the letter" before mailing it" or "The job requires you to "sign a letter" of agreement".

What does it mean to "sign a letter of intent"?

To "sign a letter of intent" means to formally indicate your intention to enter into an agreement or contract. It's a preliminary document outlining the main terms before a final agreement is created.

What is a synonym for "sign the document"?

Synonyms for "sign the document" include "endorse the document", "execute the document", or "affix your signature to the document". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality required.

Is it ever correct to say "sign letter" without an article?

In most standard English contexts, it is not correct to say "sign letter" without an article. The phrase requires either "a" or "the" to be grammatically sound. However, it might be acceptable in very informal or telegraphic communication where brevity is prioritized over strict grammar.