was sent by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was sent by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the sender of a message, package, or communication in various contexts. Example: "The package was sent by the courier service yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was sent by Yaz's widow, Connie.

The New Yorker

Schwarz was made and the monster was sent by U.P.S.

The New York Times

" 'I was sent by the agency, sir,' he said.

The New Yorker

I, Chérif Kouachi, was sent by al-Qaeda in Yemen.

Independent

A similar message was sent by the equivalent organisations elsewhere.

The Guardian

In 1963 she was sent by USAID to Vietnam to design an income expenditure survey.

University of California, Berkeley

There is one exception: the front edge of one lintel was sent by mistake to Berlin.

Harvard University

It was sent by George H.W. and Barbara Bush, parents of the current president.

The Washington Post

The questionnaire was sent by the Union of Concerned Scientists, a private advocacy group.

The Washington Post

It was sent by Gwenn Rosener.

Forbes

Much of this correspondence was sent by J.W. Schuckers.

University of Chicago

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "was sent by", ensure the context clearly identifies the sender. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the sender's name, title, or organization.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "was sent by". While grammatically correct, excessive use can make your writing sound indirect and less engaging. Consider restructuring the sentence to use active voice where appropriate for a more direct and impactful tone. For example, instead of saying 'The email was sent by John,' you could say 'John sent the email.'

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was sent by" primarily functions as a marker of agency in the passive voice. It indicates who or what initiated the action of sending. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct construction, widely used to attribute the sending action to a specific entity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was sent by" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive voice construction that serves to identify the sender of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While versatile, writers should be mindful of potential overuse of the passive voice and consider using active voice for a more direct tone when appropriate. Alternatives such as "originated from" or "was dispatched by" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was dispatched by

Highlights the act of sending or forwarding something, often used in a formal context.

was forwarded by

Emphasizes the act of relaying or passing something on to another recipient.

was delivered by

Highlights the act of bringing something to its destination.

was transmitted by

Implies sending a signal or message, often electronically.

was communicated by

Focuses on the act of conveying information or a message.

originated from

Focuses on the source or beginning of something, rather than the act of sending.

was shipped by

Specifically refers to sending goods or merchandise.

was issued by

Suggests an official source or authority is responsible for sending.

was created by

Emphasizes authorship or origination rather than the act of sending.

was drafted by

Indicates that someone wrote or prepared a document.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was sent by" to use active voice?

To change "was sent by" to active voice, restructure the sentence to highlight the sender. For example, instead of "The letter was sent by the company", say "The company sent the letter".

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

In formal contexts, you might use "was dispatched by" or "was transmitted by" to convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is it always necessary to include "by" after "was sent"?

No, it's not always necessary. The inclusion of "by" depends on whether you need to specify the sender. If the sender is obvious or unimportant, you can simply say "The package was sent".

What are some common errors to avoid when using the phrase "was sent by"?

A common error is using "was send by" instead of "was sent by". Remember that "sent" is the past participle of "send". Also, ensure clarity by explicitly stating who or what "was sent by" to avoid ambiguity.