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Prepositions with nouns

Using prepositions with letter

Letter appears in several fixed expressions. By letter and in a letter are common, while of letter is limited to formal or descriptive phrases.

Quick answer

Which phrases with letter are natural?

By letter means by written correspondence. In a letter refers to content inside a letter. Of letter is uncommon by itself but can appear in formal phrases such as the style of the letter.

They communicated by letter for years.
She explained everything in a letter.
The tone of the letter sounded formal.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
by letter

Communication method

Use by letter for communication through written mail.

The complaint was sent by letter.
2
in a letter

Content inside written communication

Use in a letter for information contained in the letter.

He apologized in a letter to the manager.
3
letter to + person

The receiver of a letter

Use to before the person or organisation receiving the letter.

She wrote a letter to her teacher.
4
of the letter

Parts or qualities of a letter

Use of the letter in phrases describing features of the document.

The ending of the letter was polite.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
by letter
They confirmed the order by letter.
using written correspondence
in a letter
The details were explained in a letter.
inside the written message
of the letter
The date of the letter was unclear.
showing a feature or part of the letter
letter to
I sent a letter to the embassy.
showing the recipient

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using in letter without an article

English normally uses an article with singular countable nouns.

✕ in letter ✓ in a letter

Using of letter alone

This phrase usually needs an article or another noun.

✕ of letter ✓ of the letter

Confusing by and in

By letter is a communication method; in a letter refers to content.

✕ He explained by letter that he was late. ✓ He explained in a letter that he was late.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. They stayed in touch ___ letter.
2. The address was written ___ a letter.
3. The signature ___ the letter was missing.

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Frequently asked questions

What does by letter mean?

It means through written correspondence rather than by phone or email.

Is in letter correct?

Usually use in a letter or in the letter with an article.

Can of letter be used?

Only in larger phrases such as the format of the letter. The short phrase alone is uncommon.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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