email chain vs email thread

Both "email chain" and "email thread" are correct and can be used interchangeably. "Email chain" refers to a series of emails that are linked together, usually because they are related to the same topic or conversation. This can also be referred to as a "chain of emails". "Email thread" also refers to a series of related emails, but is typically used to describe the chronological order in which the emails were sent and received. This can be thought of as a "thread" that weaves through the conversation. In sum, both terms refer to a sequence of related emails either by topic or by chronological order of the conversation, and therefore both can be used correctly.

Explained by Jennifer
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: July 01, 2023 • 31706 views

This phrase is correct.

"email chain"

"Email chain" is a compound noun phrase. "Email" modifies "chain," indicating that the chain is specifically related to email messages. The phrase is commonly used to refer to a series of related emails that have been sent back and forth between multiple people.

Some examples from our editors:

The email chain between the team members got longer as they discussed the project details
Please do not break the email chain by replying to individual emails from the group
I received an email chain from the company's HR department regarding the new policy updates
The email chain contains all the information we need to plan our upcoming meeting
Let's continue the conversation on the email chain instead of discussing it in person
The email chain became confusing when several people started discussing different topics

Show examples from the web [+]

Looks like that email chain finally reached the hospital.
Digital forensics found an email chain between Robin and a potential buyer for her car.
You and Chang have a daily email chain ranking Annie and Britta one and two.
A few weeks ago, I was accidentally copied on a Max Rager email chain. It's this secret report about Max Rager making one in a thousand people go psychotic.
Wait, wait, you don't believe that there really was a girl Who had her eyes and mouth stitched shut And now she's creating chain emails
At the end of the email, there are these descriptions Of what happened to people who broke the chain.

Some alternatives from our editors:

Email thread
Email conversation
Email discussion
Email correspondence
Email exchange
Email series

This phrase is correct.

"email thread"

The phrase "email thread" is composed of two words: "email" and "thread". When combined, "email thread" refers to a group of emails that are related to each other in terms of content and participants.

Some examples from our editors:

Can you please forward the entire email thread from last week's meeting?
This email thread has been going back and forth for weeks now Can we schedule a call to discuss these issues in person?
I'm confused about the decision made in this email thread Can someone please clarify?
The email thread was getting too long, so we decided to schedule a video conference call instead
Please don't "reply all" to this email thread It is getting cluttered with unnecessary information
I need to review the email thread to see if we discussed this topic previously

Show examples from the web [+]

I found a very curious email thread about an Operation Styling and Profiling.

Some alternatives from our editors:

Email conversation
Email chain
Email exchange
Email discussion
Email correspondence
Email trail

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email chain vs email thread

"email chain"

"email thread"

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