Will Be Email or Will Be Emailed?

Everyone · Explainer · Updated October 1, 2026 · LearnLife Editorial

What Does "Will Be Emailed" Mean in Plain Words?

The phrase "will be emailed" means that something—like a document, message, or information—will be sent to someone through email at a future time. This phrase uses the future tense ("will be") combined with the past participle "emailed," indicating that the action will happen to the subject. For instance, if you receive a message saying, "The meeting agenda will be emailed to you tomorrow," it means that at some point tomorrow, someone will send the agenda to your email inbox. This phrase clearly communicates the method (email) and timing (future) of delivery.

Understanding this phrase is useful because email is one of the primary ways people and organizations share information quickly and efficiently today. Whether it’s a school sending homework instructions or a company sharing a report, knowing how to say this correctly helps clarify communication. It also avoids confusion about how and when information will be received. Using “will be emailed” signals that the communication will be electronic and scheduled, rather than immediate or in another form like postal mail or phone call.

Why Is "Will Be Email" Incorrect?

"Will be email" is grammatically incorrect because of how English forms the passive voice and uses verb tenses. The phrase "will be" needs to be followed by a past participle verb to indicate an action that will happen to the subject. The verb form "email" is the base form or the noun, not the past participle. The correct past participle of the verb "email" is "emailed." So the correct phrase is "will be emailed."

For example, compare:

• Incorrect: "The document will be email tomorrow."
• Correct: "The document will be emailed tomorrow."

In the incorrect example, "email" acts like a noun or base verb, which doesn’t fit after "will be." The second example correctly uses the past participle "emailed," which works with "will be" to form the passive future tense.

This rule is similar to how other verbs work in passive voice:

• "will be sent" (past participle of "send")
• "will be received" (past participle of "receive")
• "will be written" (past participle of "write")

The word "email" can be a noun (the message itself) or a verb (the act of sending an email). When forming the passive voice, the verb form must be in past participle, which is "emailed." Using "will be email" confuses the sentence structure and meaning, leaving readers unsure about the action.

How Does "Will Be Emailed" Work in a Sentence?

Grammatically, "will be emailed" follows the passive construction in the future tense. The structure is: [subject] + will be + [past participle of verb]

Breaking this down with "email":

• Subject: the thing receiving the action (e.g., "The report")
• Future auxiliary verb: "will" (shows something happening in the future)
• Passive helper verb: "be" (shows passive voice)
• Past participle verb: "emailed" (shows the action that will happen to the subject)

For example: "The report will be emailed to you by Friday." This means the report is the subject receiving the action, and the action of emailing will happen in the future. The sentence focuses on what will happen to the report, not who will send it.

The passive voice is useful here because sometimes the sender is unknown, unimportant, or obvious, so the focus is on the recipient or the action. In active voice, you might say, "I will email you the report," focusing on the sender. Both are correct, but "will be emailed" shifts the focus to the report and its delivery.

What Is a Clear Example of Using "Will Be Emailed"?

Imagine you are organizing a conference and want to inform attendees about how they will receive their badges. You could say: "Your conference badges will be emailed to you two days before the event."

This means that attendees will not receive a physical badge mailed through postal services, but rather they will get a digital version sent to their email. This informs everyone where to look for their badge and when to expect it.

Here’s a similar example related to work: "The monthly performance reports will be emailed to department heads by the 5th of each month."

This sentence clearly states:

• What is being sent (performance reports)
• Who receives it (department heads)
• When it will happen (by the 5th of each month)
• How it will be sent (via email)

Using "will be emailed" makes the communication clear and professional, avoiding confusion about timing or method. If you wrote "will be email," the sentence would be confusing and ungrammatical.

Why Does It Matter to Use "Will Be Emailed" Correctly?

Choosing the correct phrase "will be emailed" matters for clear communication, especially in professional and formal settings. When communicating deadlines, delivery methods, or expectations, clarity removes misunderstandings. For example, if an employer says, "Your paycheck will be emailed," employees know to check their inboxes rather than expecting a paper check in the mail.

Using proper grammar also reflects positively on the sender. In business or academic contexts, well-written emails and instructions show professionalism and attention to detail. If a recipient encounters confusing phrases like "will be email," they might question the sender’s credibility or the message’s seriousness.

Moreover, clarity prevents unnecessary follow-up questions. Clear statements about receiving information via email reduce confusion and save time. With many people relying on email for communication, mastering common phrases like "will be emailed" helps ensure smooth exchanges.

What Other Email-Related Terms Are Often Mixed Up?

Several terms related to email communication are often confused or misused. Understanding their differences helps you write clearly:

• Send an email vs. Write an email: Writing an email means composing the message content, while sending refers to delivering it to the recipient. For example, "I will write an email now" means creating it, and "I will send an email now" means delivering it.

• Emailing vs. Emailed: "Emailing" is the present continuous form, meaning the action is happening now ("I am emailing you"). "Emailed" is the past participle or past tense ("I emailed you yesterday" or "The document was emailed").

• Email as noun vs. verb: "Email" can be a noun (the message) or a verb (the act of sending). For example, "I received an email" (noun) vs. "I will email you the details" (verb).

• Active vs. passive voice: "I will email you" (active) focuses on the sender. "You will be emailed" (passive) focuses on the receiver or the action itself.

• Mail vs. email: "Mail" usually refers to physical postal mail, while "email" is electronic mail. Mixing these can cause confusion about delivery method.

By recognizing these differences, you can pick the right phrase and form depending on your message’s purpose.

What Should You Do Next to Use Email Language Properly?

To improve your email communication and avoid mistakes like "will be email," follow these practical steps:

1. Review Verb Forms: Learn and memorize key verb forms related to email. For "email," the past tense and past participle are both "emailed." Compare with other verbs like "send" (sent) or "write" (written).

1. Practice Passive Voice with Future Tense: Use the structure "will be" + past participle to talk about future actions happening to a subject. Examples: "The invoice will be emailed," "The instructions will be sent."

1. Choose Active or Passive Voice Based on Focus: If you want to highlight the sender, use active voice: "I will email you." If you want to emphasize the receiving person or thing, use passive voice: "You will be emailed."

1. Read and Review Professional Emails: Look at well-written emails or guides like How to Write a Formal Email or Rules for Writing Emails in English to see correct usage in context.

1. Write and Edit Your Own Emails: Practice writing sentences using "will be emailed" in various situations. Then, check your work or ask a trusted friend or colleague to review for grammatical accuracy.

1. Use Tools for Grammar Checking: Apps and word processors often highlight errors where you might mistakenly use "will be email" instead of "will be emailed."

By developing these habits, you’ll improve clarity and professionalism in your email communication.

Frequently asked questions

Can I say "I will email you" instead of "You will be emailed"?

Yes. "I will email you" is active voice, focusing on the sender performing the action. "You will be emailed" is passive voice, focusing on the recipient receiving the email. Both are correct; choose the one that fits your communication style and emphasis.

What is the past participle form of "email"?

The past participle of "email" is "emailed." It is used with helping verbs to form perfect tenses or passive voice, such as "has emailed" or "will be emailed."

Is "email" always a verb?

No. "Email" can be both a noun (the message itself) and a verb (the action of sending an email). The meaning depends on how it is used in the sentence.

How do I know when to use passive voice with emails?

Use passive voice when you want to focus on the recipient or the action rather than who is sending the email. For example, "The report will be emailed to you" emphasizes the delivery, while "I will email the report" emphasizes the sender.

What are common mistakes with email-related phrases?

Common mistakes include using "will be email" instead of "will be emailed," confusing "write" with "send," or mixing up "mail" (postal mail) with "email" (electronic mail). Being mindful of verb forms and context helps avoid these errors.

When should I use formal language in emails?

Use formal language in professional, academic, or official emails. Casual emails to friends or colleagues can be less formal. Learning [What Is a Formal Email and When to Use It](#r6) can help you choose the right tone.