Will Be Sent or Will Be Send – Which Is Correct?
Navigating the nuances of English grammar can sometimes feel like traversing a minefield, with common confusions arising from similar-sounding words or grammatical structures. One such area of frequent bewilderment centers around the correct formation of future passive voice sentences, specifically concerning the verbs “send” and “sent.”
The distinction between using “send” and “sent” in these contexts is crucial for clear and accurate communication. Understanding the underlying grammatical rules will not only help in constructing grammatically sound sentences but also in projecting an image of linguistic competence.
Understanding Verb Forms: Send, Sent, Sent
The verb “to send” is an irregular verb, meaning its past tense and past participle forms do not follow the standard “-ed” rule. This irregularity is a common source of error for English learners and even native speakers at times.
The base form of the verb is “send.” Its simple past tense is “sent.”
The past participle form is also “sent.” This past participle is what is used in perfect tenses (e.g., “has sent,” “had sent”) and in the passive voice.
The Passive Voice Explained
The passive voice is a grammatical construction where the subject of a sentence receives the action of the verb, rather than performing it. It is formed using a form of the verb “to be” followed by the past participle of the main verb.
For example, in the active voice, “John sent the email.” Here, John is the subject performing the action. In the passive voice, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject: “The email was sent by John.” The subject, “the email,” is receiving the action of being sent.
The passive voice is often used when the doer of the action is unknown, unimportant, or when the focus needs to be on the action itself or the recipient of the action.
Constructing Future Passive Sentences
To form the future passive voice, we use the auxiliary verb “will” followed by “be” and then the past participle of the main verb. This structure indicates an action that will be received by the subject at some point in the future.
The general formula for the future passive is: subject + will + be + past participle.
Applying this to the verb “send,” we need its past participle, which is “sent.” Therefore, the correct future passive construction uses “will be sent.”
Why “Will Be Send” Is Incorrect
The phrase “will be send” is grammatically incorrect because it uses the base form of the verb (“send”) instead of the required past participle (“sent”) after “will be.” The structure “will be” in the passive voice explicitly calls for the past participle to complete the verb phrase.
Using “send” here would be akin to saying “will be eat” instead of “will be eaten” or “will be go” instead of “will be gone.” The auxiliary “be” in this context always requires the past participle to form the passive voice, regardless of the tense.
This error often stems from confusion with the simple future active voice, which uses “will” followed by the base form of the verb (e.g., “will send”). However, the addition of “be” signals a shift to the passive construction, necessitating the past participle.
Common Scenarios for “Will Be Sent”
The phrase “will be sent” is used in numerous everyday situations where an item or communication is expected to be dispatched in the future, and the focus is on the item itself or the recipient rather than the sender.
Consider an online order. You might receive an email notification stating, “Your order confirmation will be sent to your email address shortly.” Here, the focus is on the confirmation email and its eventual arrival, not on who specifically clicks the send button.
Another example: a company announcing a new policy. “The updated employee handbook will be sent out next Monday.” The emphasis is on the handbook’s distribution, not on the HR department’s action.
In academic settings, a professor might inform students, “Your grades will be sent via secure portal by Friday.” The students are concerned with receiving their grades, not the process of sending them.
Distinguishing from Future Active Voice
It is vital to differentiate the future passive “will be sent” from the future active “will send.” The active voice focuses on the subject performing the action.
For instance, “I will send the report tomorrow.” Here, “I” am the one performing the action of sending. The report is the direct object receiving the action.
In contrast, “The report will be sent tomorrow.” This sentence shifts the focus. The report is now the subject, and it is receiving the action of being sent. The implied sender might be mentioned in a prepositional phrase (“by me,” “by the team”) or omitted entirely.
Understanding this distinction is key to choosing the correct verb form and sentence structure to convey the intended meaning accurately.
Contextual Examples: Emails and Mail
The most frequent application of “will be sent” relates to electronic mail and physical mail. When an email is scheduled for future delivery, or a physical letter is to be mailed, this phrase is appropriate.
For example, a customer service representative might assure a client, “Your requested information will be sent via email within 24 hours.” The client cares about receiving the information, not the internal process of the email being composed and dispatched.
Similarly, regarding physical mail: “The invitation will be sent out next week.” This clearly indicates that the invitation, as an object, will be mailed in the future.
This usage emphasizes the outcome – the arrival of the communication – rather than the agent performing the sending action.
Formal vs. Informal Usage
The construction “will be sent” is generally considered standard and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Its clarity and grammatical correctness make it suitable for business correspondence, official announcements, and everyday conversation.
In formal writing, such as legal documents or academic papers, precision is paramount. “Will be sent” accurately conveys the future passive action without ambiguity.
In informal settings, while more colloquial phrasing might sometimes be used, “will be sent” remains a perfectly acceptable and understandable choice. It avoids potential misinterpretations that might arise from less precise language.
The key is the correct use of the past participle “sent” following “will be” to denote the passive voice.
The Role of “By” Phrase
In passive voice sentences, the performer of the action can be included using a “by” phrase. This phrase specifies the agent responsible for the action.
For instance, “The package will be sent by courier.” Here, “by courier” indicates the mode of delivery and implies the entity responsible for sending it.
Another example: “The revised proposal will be sent by the marketing team.” This clarifies who will be performing the sending action, even though the sentence remains in the passive voice, keeping the proposal as the grammatical subject.
While the “by” phrase is optional, its inclusion can add important context and detail when the sender is relevant to the message.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The most common mistake is using “will be send” instead of “will be sent.” This error arises from confusing the base form of the verb with its past participle.
To avoid this, always remember that the passive voice, especially in future tenses formed with “will be,” requires the past participle. For irregular verbs like “send,” the past participle is “sent.”
Another potential pitfall is accidentally switching to the active voice when the passive is intended. If the focus should be on the object receiving the action, ensure the sentence structure reflects this.
Regularly practicing with examples and perhaps using grammar-checking tools can help reinforce the correct usage.
Implications for Business Communication
In business, clear and correct communication is essential for maintaining professionalism and avoiding costly misunderstandings. Using “will be sent” correctly in emails, memos, and official statements ensures that information about future dispatches is conveyed accurately.
For example, a company announcing a product launch might state, “Promotional materials will be sent to all registered distributors next month.” This precise wording assures distributors that they will receive the materials without specifying the exact internal process.
Conversely, an error like “promotional materials will be send” would undermine the company’s credibility and could lead to confusion among recipients.
Mastering this grammatical point contributes to a more polished and professional image in all business interactions.
Grammatical Structure Analysis
Let’s break down the structure of “will be sent.” “Will” is a modal auxiliary verb indicating future tense. “Be” is another auxiliary verb, crucial for forming the passive voice. “Sent” is the past participle of the main verb “send.”
The combination “will be” sets up the future passive construction. The past participle “sent” then completes the verb phrase, signifying that the subject will undergo the action of being sent.
This structure adheres to the standard rules of English grammar for forming future passive sentences. Any deviation, such as replacing “sent” with “send,” disrupts this established pattern.
Examples in Customer Service
Customer service interactions frequently involve promises about future actions. Using “will be sent” accurately reassures customers about the delivery of requested items or information.
A customer might inquire about a missing item: “When will my replacement part be sent?” The representative’s correct response would be, “Your replacement part will be sent out within two business days.”
This phrasing is direct, professional, and grammatically sound, managing customer expectations effectively. It confirms that the action (sending the part) is scheduled and that the customer can anticipate its arrival.
The clarity provided by the correct passive construction is invaluable in building trust and satisfaction.
Impact on Professional Image
Grammatical accuracy directly influences how others perceive your professionalism and attention to detail. Consistent use of correct grammar, including phrases like “will be sent,” projects an image of competence and reliability.
Errors, even seemingly small ones like misusing a verb form, can distract from the message and create an impression of carelessness. In professional contexts, this can be detrimental.
Therefore, paying close attention to these grammatical details is not merely about following rules; it’s about effectively communicating your message and upholding your professional standing.
Reinforcing Correct Usage
To solidify the correct usage of “will be sent,” it’s beneficial to actively seek out examples in reputable sources and to practice constructing sentences yourself. Reading well-written articles, books, and professional correspondence can expose you to correct passive voice usage.
When writing, pause to consider whether the subject of your sentence is performing or receiving the action. If it’s receiving the action in a future context, ensure you use “will be” followed by the past participle.
For the verb “send,” this means consistently using “will be sent.”