through the mail

USAGE SUMMARY

"through the mail" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to sending or receiving something via postal mail. Example: "I received your package through the mail yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

You know, through the mail.

The New York Times - Tech

Jay was thumbing listlessly through the mail.

The New Yorker

Onward through the mail.

The Guardian

Letters can be sent through the mail.

The New York Times

They all came through the mail.

The New York Times

Write and sort through the mail.

The New York Times

I poured gasoline through the mail slot.

The New Yorker

The brothers ordered the parts through the mail.

The New Yorker

Say, "Yes, someone put the Hope Diamond through the mail".

The New Yorker

Ingeniously, he even fulfilled orders through the mail.

The New York Times

In the off-season, teams shipped video through the mail.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "through the mail" when referring to standard postal service delivery for letters, packages, or other items. Be mindful of context, as alternative phrasing may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "through the mail" when you actually mean via e-mail. The former refers to physical delivery, while the latter refers to electronic transmission. Make sure to specify clearly which method of communication you are referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "through the mail" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying verbs to indicate the method by which something is sent or received. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in describing actions related to postal delivery.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the prepositional phrase "through the mail" is a very common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of sending or receiving items via the postal service. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples from diverse sources, including news media, scientific publications, and wikis, demonstrates its widespread applicability and neutral tone. It's crucial to differentiate "through the mail" (physical delivery) from electronic communication methods to avoid confusion. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is a reliable and clear way to specify postal transmission.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

via postal delivery

Focuses on the method of delivery being through the postal service.

by mail service

Highlights the mail service as the means of transmission.

using the postal system

Emphasizes the use of the established postal infrastructure.

sent by post

A more concise way of saying something was sent through the mail.

delivered by mail

Focuses on the delivery aspect of using the mail.

mailed directly

Specifies that the item was sent directly without intermediaries.

shipped via mail

Emphasizes the shipping aspect, particularly for larger items.

forwarded by mail

Suggests the item was redirected through the mail.

transported by mail

Highlights the act of transporting the item.

dispatched via postal route

A more formal way of indicating that an item was sent via a mail route.

FAQs

How can I use "through the mail" in a sentence?

You can use "through the mail" to describe the action of sending or receiving something via the postal service. For example, "I sent the package "through the mail" yesterday" or "She received the invitation "through the mail" this morning."

What are some alternatives to saying "through the mail"?

Alternatives include "via postal delivery", "by mail service", or "sent by post", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "through the mail" or "in the mail"?

Both phrases are commonly used, but "through the mail" emphasizes the process of sending or receiving, while "in the mail" usually refers to something that has already been sent and is en route. "I sent it "through the mail"" suggests the action of mailing, whereas "It's "in the mail"" means it's currently being delivered.

Can I use "through the mail" to describe electronic communications?

No, "through the mail" specifically refers to physical delivery via a postal service. For electronic communications, use terms like "via email", "online", or "electronically".