Is It “e mail” or “email”: How & When to Use Both Correctly as a Writer

Email and e-mail are both acceptable, but that doesn’t mean they are interchangeable. Some style guides prefer you to use the hyphen, while others require the spelling without the hyphen. And then there is the word mail, which has a similar meaning to both email and e-mail.

So how do you know which of them to use?

In this article, we will look at the difference between e-mail, email, and mail, and provide tips and tricks for selecting the best word.

When to Use Email

Email is a closed compound word, which is a compound word without punctuation or spaces.

Writing email without a hyphen is becoming more common and widely accepted. For example, the AP Style Guide, adopted by big publications like The New York Times and The Huffington Post, accepts this spelling.

READ ALSO: When to Use ‘Whomever’: Navigating the Maze

When to Use E-mail

E-mail is a compound noun where the E stands for electronic, like in e-book, e-learning, and e-commerce. The hyphen signifies that two words have been merged: electronic and mail.

Writing e-mail with a hyphen is the preferred method of spelling for formal documents, such as college assignments and business reports. It is also the required spelling for many popular style guides, such as The Chicago Manual of Style.

If you aren’t sure which spelling to use, e-mail or email, refer to your style guide or opt for the hyphenated version. Most people accept that this spelling is correct, whereas only some accept the version without the hyphen.

SEE ALSO: When to Use ‘Have’ or ‘Has’: Solving the Verb Puzzle

When to Use Mail

We only use mail when referring to anything that is sent by post, such as parcels and letters. Mail is sometimes used informally to refer to electronic messaging, and that doesn’t make it right. To avoid being misunderstood, avoid using it in in place of email, as readers may misunderstand you.

Is It a Email or an Email?

We use the article “a” before words that begin with a consonant. We use the article “an” before words that start with a vowel.

The letter E is a vowel, so the word email should be preceded by “an” instead of “a.” For example:

• Did you send an email to Frank to let him know we canceled tomorrow’s meeting?
• I haven’t received an email for almost three days. I wonder if something has gone wrong.

You may want to see When to Use ‘Its’ and ‘It’s’: Cracking the Code

Is Email Capitalized?

Email is a common noun and common nouns are only capitalized when they appear at the beginning of a sentence. If they appear anywhere else in the sentence, they should be lowercase. For example,

• I don’t normally check my emails on Sunday.
• Email is my least favorite form of communication.
• The last time I emailed Peter, he didn’t reply for almost three weeks.

SEE ALSO: When to Use Is and Are: Solving the Singular vs. Plural Puzzle

E-mail or Email: Which to Choose?

Since they both mean the same thing, there isn’t a single standard form. When it was initially coined, the standout spelling was ­e-mail, and, indeed, this spelling is still the predominant spelling today.

According to The AP Stylebook, email is acceptable for all references to electronic mail, so, as I mentioned earlier, both spellings are acceptable. Only time will tell what spelling wins out in the end: although, it is likely to be the unhyphenated email.

It should also be noted that while email has become an accepted spelling, this doesn’t work for every single thing that a technology company puts an e in front of.

For example,

• e-book
• e-business
• e-commerce

The AP Stylebook lists all of these spellings as the most suitable spellings. In other words, e-mail can be used with or without the hyphen. Other terms, which are more niche, are not there yet—and they may never be.

So, for the time being,

• e-mail or email (both accepted)
• e-book not ebook
• e-business not ebusiness
• e-commerce not ecommerce

FAQs On Is It “e mail” or “email”

Conclusion

Email and e-mail both refer to electronic mail, while mail refers to a physical letter or parcel sent by post. So which are you using in your writing today?

References

• grammarly.com – How to Spell Email (or E-mail)
• prowritingaid.com – E-mail or Email or Mail: Which Is Correct?
• writingexplained.org – E-mail or Email – Which is Correct?

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