Other Ways to Say From in a Letter: Better Ways for 2026

Quick Answer
To replace “from” in a letter, consider context and tone. The best alternatives include Sent by, Regarding, On behalf of, Originating from, and Issued by. Choosing the right phrase ensures your correspondence sounds professional and precise.

Writing a letter often requires more precision than a casual conversation. The word “from” is a preposition that indicates the origin, source, or sender of a message. While it is functional, relying on it repeatedly can make your writing sound repetitive or overly simplistic, especially in professional settings.

Understanding the alternatives to other ways to say from in a letter allows you to adapt your tone for any audience. Whether you are writing a cover letter, a business proposal, or a friendly note, varying your vocabulary helps you express excitement in English or convey authority with greater clarity. It signals to the reader that you are a thoughtful and capable communicator.

Quick Categories

Formal alternatives to “From in a Letter”

Sent by: Indicates the specific person or department that dispatched the letter.
On behalf of: Used when writing for someone else or an organization.
Originating from: A precise way to indicate the source of the correspondence.
Issued by: Often used for official statements or certificates.

Pro Tip: In formal letters, place these phrases near the signature block or in the first sentence to establish authority immediately.

Casual alternatives

Greetings from: A friendly way to start a letter from a specific location.
Written by: A simple, direct alternative often used in creative contexts.
A note from: Perfect for informal updates or quick messages.
Coming to you from: A conversational phrase used in newsletters or blogs.

Pro Tip: Casual alternatives work best in personal notes or email newsletters where the tone is relaxed.

Professional alternatives

Correspondence from: A neutral, business-like phrase for the sender.
Transmitted by: A technical term often used in legal or official documents.
Submitted by: Used when sending applications, reports, or proposals.
Forwarded by: Indicates that the sender is passing along a message from someone else.

Pro Tip: Use professional alternatives to maintain a neutral, objective tone in business emails and reports.

Informal expressions

Love from: A warm closing used for family and close friends.
Hugs from: A very affectionate sign-off.
Drop me a line from: A playful way to ask for a reply while traveling.
Updates from: Common in blogs or social media posts.

Pro Tip: Informal expressions are strictly for personal communication. Avoid them in any professional context.

Common Mistakes

Using “From” repetitively.
- Mistake: “A letter from John from the marketing team.”
- Correction: “A letter sent by John regarding the marketing team.”
Using “From” in a passive voice incorrectly.
- Mistake: “The letter was sent from me.”
- Correction: “The letter was sent by me.” (Use “by” for the agent).
Confusing “From” with “Off.”
- Mistake: “This email is off Sarah.”
- Correction: “This email is from Sarah.”
Using “From” to indicate a topic.
- Mistake: “I am writing from the meeting.”
- Correction: “I am writing regarding the meeting.” (Unless you are physically at the meeting).
Overly casual use in formal letters.
- Mistake: “Hi, this is from Mike.”
- Correction: “This correspondence is submitted by Mike.”

What Does “From” Mean?

In the context of a letter, “from” is a preposition used to indicate the sender or the origin of the message. It identifies who wrote or dispatched the correspondence. Grammatically, it acts as a function word connecting the message to its source.

Example: “A letter from the director.”

When to Use “From”

Spoken vs Written: Common in both, but often replaced in formal writing to avoid repetition.
Formal vs Informal: Acceptable in informal contexts. In formal contexts, it is often replaced with “sent by” or “on behalf of.”
Contexts: Personal notes, email headers, standard business letters, and legal documents.

Is It Professional or Polite to Say “From”?

Using “from” is polite but often too simple for high-level professional writing. It is not incorrect, but it lacks the nuance of more specific phrases.

Polite? Yes
Professional? Sometimes (best used in the envelope address or simple emails, less so in the body of a formal letter).

Business-Style Example:

Standard: “This is a letter from the HR department.”
Professional: “This correspondence is issued by the HR department.”

Pros and Cons of Using “From”

Pros:

Simple and natural.
Friendly tone.
Common usage.
Easy to understand.

Cons:

Too informal for some work contexts.
Overused.
Limited emotional range.
Not suitable for formal writing.

Other Ways to Say “From” in a Letter (With Examples)

These alternatives will help you sound more fluent, confident, and natural in different situations. Use them according to tone, context, and audience to express excitement, admiration, or approval.

1. Sent by

Meaning: Dispatched by a specific person or entity.
Explanation: A standard passive construction that focuses on the sender.
Example Sentence: “The package was sent by the legal department.”
Best Use: Formal emails.
Worst Use: Personal notes.
Tone: Professional, neutral.
Context Variability: Professional: “Sent by the manager.” Spoken: “It was sent by him.”

2. On behalf of

Meaning: Representing someone else.
Explanation: Used when you are writing for a group or another person.
Example Sentence: “On behalf of the committee, I thank you for your support.”
Best Use: Official letters.
Worst Use: Casual texts.
Tone: Respectful, formal.
Context Variability: Professional: “On behalf of the CEO.” Spoken: “I’m speaking on behalf of the team.”

3. Regarding

Meaning: Concerning or about.
Explanation: Used to introduce the subject matter rather than the sender.
Example Sentence: “I am writing regarding your recent inquiry.”
Best Use: Business letters.
Worst Use: Personal letters.
Tone: Formal, direct.
Context Variability: Professional: “Regarding your account.” Spoken: “I have a question regarding the bill.”

4. Originating from

Meaning: Starting or coming from a source.
Explanation: A precise way to indicate the source of the letter.
Example Sentence: “The complaint originating from the client was resolved.”
Best Use: Reports.
Worst Use: Friendly notes.
Tone: Technical, formal.
Context Variability: Professional: “Originating from the head office.” Spoken: “The idea originated from her.”

5. Issued by

Meaning: Officially sent out or distributed.
Explanation: Often used for official documents or statements.
Example Sentence: “This notice is issued by the safety board.”
Best Use: Legal documents.
Worst Use: Emails to friends.
Tone: Authoritative, official.
Context Variability: Professional: “Issued by the government.” Spoken: “The passport was issued by the US.”

6. Submitted by

Meaning: Presented for consideration.
Explanation: Used when sending applications or proposals.
Example Sentence: “The report was submitted by the research team.”
Best Use: Applications.
Worst Use: Casual chats.
Tone: Formal, academic.
Context Variability: Professional: “Submitted by the applicant.” Spoken: “I submitted it by the deadline.”

7. Transmitted by

Meaning: Sent or transferred.
Explanation: A technical term often used in legal or official contexts.
Example Sentence: “The document was transmitted by secure fax.”
Best Use: Legal letters.
Worst Use: Personal letters.
Tone: Technical, formal.
Context Variability: Professional: “Transmitted by email.” Spoken: “The signal was transmitted by the tower.”

8. Forwarded by

Meaning: Passed on to a third party.
Explanation: Indicates the sender is relaying a message from someone else.
Example Sentence: “The email was forwarded by the assistant.”
Best Use: Emails.
Worst Use: Handwritten letters.
Tone: Neutral, business.
Context Variability: Professional: “Forwarded by the front desk.” Spoken: “She forwarded it by text.”

9. Correspondence from

Meaning: Communication from a source.
Explanation: A formal way to describe the sender of a letter.
Example Sentence: “We have received correspondence from the client.”
Best Use: Business.
Worst Use: Personal.
Tone: Formal, neutral.
Context Variability: Professional: “Correspondence from the bank.” Spoken: “I got correspondence from them.”

10. A note from

Meaning: A short informal message.
Explanation: Used for quick, friendly updates.
Example Sentence: “Here is a note from the editor.”
Best Use: Newsletters.
Worst Use: Legal documents.
Tone: Casual, friendly.
Context Variability: Professional: “A note from the CEO.” Spoken: “I left a note from me.”

11. Greetings from

Meaning: A friendly salutation indicating location.
Explanation: Often used in postcards or travel letters.
Example Sentence: “Greetings from Paris!”
Best Use: Postcards.
Worst Use: Business letters.
Tone: Cheerful, informal.
Context Variability: Professional: “Greetings from the team.” Spoken: “Greetings from my house.”

12. Written by

Meaning: Authored by.
Explanation: Focuses on the author rather than the sender.
Example Sentence: “This letter was written by the marketing director.”
Best Use: Reports.
Worst Use: Legal notices.
Tone: Neutral, clear.
Context Variability: Professional: “Written by the legal team.” Spoken: “It was written by me.”

13. Signed by

Meaning: Authenticated by a signature.
Explanation: Indicates the person who physically signed the letter.
Example Sentence: “The contract is signed by the CEO.”
Best Use: Contracts.
Worst Use: Emails.
Tone: Legal, formal.
Context Variability: Professional: “Signed by the author.” Spoken: “It is signed by her.”

14. Delivered by

Meaning: Brought to a destination.
Explanation: Focuses on the method of delivery.
Example Sentence: “The letter was delivered by courier.”
Best Use: Logistics.
Worst Use: Digital communication.
Tone: Practical, neutral.
Context Variability: Professional: “Delivered by hand.” Spoken: “It was delivered by the mailman.”

15. Hailing from

Meaning: Coming from a specific place.
Explanation: Often used to add color to a description.
Example Sentence: “A letter hailing from the sunny coast of California.”
Best Use: Creative writing.
Worst Use: Business letters.
Tone: Descriptive, casual.
Context Variability: Professional: “Hailing from our New York office.” Spoken: “He hails from Texas.”

16. Dispatched by

Meaning: Sent off with speed.
Explanation: A more dynamic way to say “sent by.”
Example Sentence: “The urgent letter was dispatched by the secretary.”
Best Use: Narrative.
Worst Use: Technical manuals.
Tone: Active, formal.
Context Variability: Professional: “Dispatched by the manager.” Spoken: “It was dispatched by the team.”

17. Addressed from

Meaning: The return address.
Explanation: Indicates the location the letter is sent from.
Example Sentence: “The letter is addressed from the London office.”
Best Use: Logistics.
Worst Use: Personal notes.
Tone: Technical, neutral.
Context Variability: Professional: “Addressed from the HQ.” Spoken: “It was addressed from my home.”

18. Communicated by

Meaning: Conveyed by.
Explanation: A formal way to indicate the sender of information.
Example Sentence: “The decision was communicated by the board.”
Best Use: Official statements.
Worst Use: Casual chats.
Tone: Formal, distant.
Context Variability: Professional: “Communicated by the director.” Spoken: “It was communicated by him.”

19. Authored by

Meaning: The creator of the content.
Explanation: Specific to the writer of the letter.
Example Sentence: “The letter is authored by the lead researcher.”
Best Use: Academic.
Worst Use: Text messages.
Tone: Intellectual, formal.
Context Variability: Professional: “Authored by the expert.” Spoken: “It was authored by a famous writer.”

20. Composed by

Meaning: Put together or written.
Explanation: Highlights the effort of writing.
Example Sentence: “The letter was composed by the assistant.”
Best Use: Creative contexts.
Worst Use: Routine emails.
Tone: Artistic, formal.
Context Variability: Professional: “Composed by the PR team.” Spoken: “It was composed by me.”

21. Transferred from

Meaning: Moved from one place to another.
Explanation: Indicates a change of hands or location.
Example Sentence: “The file was transferred from the main office.”
Best Use: Internal memos.
Worst Use: Personal letters.
Tone: Technical, neutral.
Context Variability: Professional: “Transferred from the archive.” Spoken: “It was transferred from my old phone.”

22. Conveyed by

Meaning: Carried or transmitted.
Explanation: Often used for messages or feelings.
Example Sentence: “The message was conveyed by the messenger.”
Best Use: Literary.
Worst Use: Technical manuals.
Tone: Formal, descriptive.
Context Variability: Professional: “Conveyed by the spokesperson.” Spoken: “The meaning was conveyed by his tone.”

23. Received from

Meaning: Obtained from a source.
Explanation: Focuses on the recipient’s perspective.
Example Sentence: “We received this letter from the tax office.”
Best Use: Administrative.
Worst Use: Sending letters.
Tone: Passive, formal.
Context Variability: Professional: “Received from the client.” Spoken: “I got it from him.”

24. Emanating from

Meaning: Flowing out from a source.
Explanation: A sophisticated way to describe the origin.
Example Sentence: “The instructions emanating from the head office are clear.”
Best Use: Reports.
Worst Use: Casual emails.
Tone: Sophisticated, formal.
Context Variability: Professional: “Emanating from the board.” Spoken: “The light emanating from the room.”

25. A message from

Meaning: A communication from someone.
Explanation: A simple, standard alternative.
Example Sentence: “Here is a message from our sponsor.”
Best Use: Broadcasting.
Worst Use: Legal documents.
Tone: Neutral, clear.
Context Variability: Professional: “A message from the CEO.” Spoken: “I have a message from your mom.”

26. A letter sent by

Meaning: Explicitly stating the sender.
Explanation: A direct and clear phrase.
Example Sentence: “A letter sent by the principal was distributed.”
Best Use: News reports.
Worst Use: Personal notes.
Tone: Direct, formal.
Context Variability: Professional: “A letter sent by the bank.” Spoken: “A letter sent by my friend.”

27. A note written by

Meaning: Specifies the author of a short message.
Explanation: A descriptive phrase for informal or formal notes.
Example Sentence: “A note written by the teacher was left on the desk.”
Best Use: Storytelling.
Worst Use: Business proposals.
Tone: Descriptive, neutral.
Context Variability: Professional: “A note written by the manager.” Spoken: “A note written by my wife.”

28. A dispatch from

Meaning: A report from a specific location.
Explanation: Often used in journalism.
Example Sentence: “A dispatch from our correspondent in Berlin.”
Best Use: News.
Worst Use: Personal letters.
Tone: Journalistic, formal.
Context Variability: Professional: “A dispatch from the field.” Spoken: “A dispatch from the front lines.”

29. A communiqué from

Meaning: An official announcement.
Explanation: A very formal term for a message.
Example Sentence: “A communiqué from the government was released.”
Best Use: Politics.
Worst Use: Personal emails.
Tone: Official, formal.
Context Variability: Professional: “A communiqué from the embassy.” Spoken: “A communiqué from the leaders.”

30. Love from

Meaning: A warm closing.
Explanation: Used to express affection.
Example Sentence: “Love from, Sarah.”
Best Use: Family letters.
Worst Use: Business letters.
Tone: Affectionate, informal.
Context Variability: Professional: (Never). Spoken: “Love from mom.”

Mini Quiz / Self-Check

Which phrase is best for a cover letter?
- A) Love from
- B) Submitted by
- C) A note from
You are writing on behalf of your boss. Which phrase fits?
- A) On behalf of
- B) Hailing from
- C) Greetings from
Which phrase is too informal for a legal document?
- A) Issued by
- B) Transmitted by
- C) Drop me a line from
Which phrase indicates the physical location of the writer?
- A) Written by
- B) Greetings from
- C) Submitted by

Answers: 1-B, 2-A, 3-C, 4-B

Comparison Table: Top Alternatives

Phrase	Tone	Best Use
Sent by	Professional	Business emails
On behalf of	Formal	Official letters
Regarding	Formal	Subject lines
Submitted by	Academic	Applications
Written by	Neutral	Articles/Reports
Greetings from	Casual	Postcards
Love from	Informal	Family letters
Issued by	Official	Legal documents
A note from	Friendly	Newsletters
Correspondence from	Business	Client communication

FAQs

1. What is a professional way to say “from” in a letter?
“Sent by,” “Submitted by,” or “On behalf of” are excellent professional alternatives depending on the context.

2. Can I use “from” in a formal letter?
Yes, it is acceptable, but using alternatives like “issued by” or “originating from” can make your writing sound more sophisticated.

3. How do I replace “from” when writing on behalf of a company?
Use “On behalf of [Company Name]” or “Issued by [Company Name]” to indicate the official source.

4. What is the difference between “from” and “by” in a letter?
“From” indicates the source or origin, while “by” indicates the agent performing the action (e.g., “written by John”).

5. What are some informal ways to say “from” in a letter?
“Love from,” “Greetings from,” or “A note from” are great for personal correspondence.

Conclusion

Mastering the alternatives to “from” in a letter is a small change that yields a big impact on your communication skills. It allows you to shift between casual, professional, and formal tones with ease, ensuring your message is always received correctly. Whether you are writing a quick note to a friend or a critical business proposal, the right phrasing builds confidence.

Practice using these phrases in your daily writing to make them second nature. Pay attention to the tone of your audience and choose the alternative that fits best. Your ability to adapt your language is the key to effective English communication.

John Green

John Green is an American writer who contributes to QuickResponsess.com, creating clear and practical content on English grammar, vocabulary and everyday language. His goal is to make learning English simple, engaging and easy to apply.