Sign In Get Started
Prepositions with nouns

By mail or of mail?

By mail is the standard expression for sending or receiving something through the postal system. Of mail usually appears only inside larger phrases such as volume of mail.

Quick answer

Which form is correct?

Use by mail to describe a delivery or communication method: sent by mail. The phrase of mail is not normally used on its own after verbs, but it can appear in noun phrases such as a bag of mail or the amount of mail received.

The documents were sent by mail yesterday.
We received a large amount of mail this morning.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
by mail

Method of sending or receiving

Use by mail for postal delivery.

You can return the form by mail.
2
piece of mail

Describing an item in the post

Use of mail inside noun phrases that describe quantity or type.

She opened a piece of mail from the bank.
3
mail from + sender

Source of postal communication

Use from to identify who sent the mail.

I got mail from the university today.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
by mail
Please submit the application by mail.
through the postal system
of mail
The room was full of mail.
part of a noun phrase showing quantity or content
mail by courier
The package was sent by courier, not by mail.
contrasts postal service with another delivery method

Common mistakes

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

Using of mail as a delivery method

Do not use of mail to mean through the post.

✕ I sent it of mail. ✓ I sent it by mail.

Missing article with countable expressions

Use an article with singular countable phrases.

✕ She opened piece of mail. ✓ She opened a piece of mail.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. We received the contract ___ mail.
2. There was a pile ___ mail on the desk.
3. You can contact us ___ mail or phone.

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Is by mail formal or informal?

It is standard in both formal and everyday English.

Can of mail follow a verb directly?

Usually no. It normally appears inside a larger noun phrase such as bag of mail.

What is the difference between by mail and by post?

Both are correct. By post is more common in British English.

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"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account