enclosed
B2Neutral to formal; common in written and official communication.
Definition
Meaning
Contained within something else; shut in or surrounded.
Sent along with something else (e.g., a letter); having something included within the same envelope or package. Also used to describe areas that are physically shut off or private.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As an adjective, 'enclosed' often describes a physical space (an enclosed garden) or something sent with a letter. As a verb (past tense/participle of 'enclose'), it refers to the act of including something or surrounding/shutting in.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: In BrE, 'enclosed' is standard; in AmE, 'inclosed' is a rare, archaic variant. Usage in property descriptions (e.g., 'enclosed porch') is identical. The abbreviation 'enc.' for 'enclosed' is common in BrE business letters; AmE may use 'encl.'.
Connotations
Identical. No significant connotative differences.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties. Slightly higher frequency in BrE official correspondence due to traditional letter-writing conventions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Please find] + enclosed + [direct object] (e.g., Please find enclosed my CV).enclose + [direct object] + [in/with] + [noun] (e.g., I have enclosed the receipt with the letter).be + enclosed + by/within + [noun] (e.g., The yard is enclosed by a fence).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “enclosed please find (formal letter phrase)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in cover letters and formal correspondence to indicate attached documents (e.g., 'Please find enclosed my application').
Academic
Describes controlled experimental environments (e.g., 'an enclosed ecosystem') or referenced materials included with a paper.
Everyday
Describes physical spaces like gardens, balconies, or yards that are fenced or covered.
Technical
In engineering/architecture, refers to sealed units, shielded components, or protected spaces.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I have enclosed a copy of the invoice with the parcel.
- The original moat enclosed the castle for protection.
American English
- I enclosed the signed contract in yesterday's mail.
- High walls enclosed the private compound.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The garden is enclosed by a fence.
- I enclosed a photo in the letter.
- Please find enclosed a copy of my passport.
- The animals live in an enclosed habitat.
- The report, enclosed for your review, contains confidential data.
- They built an entirely enclosed walkway between the buildings.
- The artist's work is often self-enclosed, reflecting little external influence.
- Documents enclosed herein are subject to a non-disclosure agreement.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CLOSED envelope with something ENfolded inside = ENCLOSED.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/INFORMATION IS A CONTAINED OBJECT (e.g., 'The report is enclosed'), PROTECTION IS AN ENCLOSURE (e.g., 'an enclosed community').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'closed' (закрытый). 'Enclosed' implies being within something else, not just shut. In letters, do not translate 'enclosed' as 'вложенный' in overly literal syntax; use standard Russian letter formulas like 'Прилагаю...'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'enclosed' as a noun (e.g., 'the encloseds' – incorrect). Confusing 'enclosed' with 'attached' in email contexts (attached is for digital files; enclosed for physical items). Misplacing in sentence: 'Enclosed please find' is a fixed formal phrase; don't say 'I enclose please find'.
Practice
Quiz
In formal British business correspondence, which phrase is most appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally, 'enclosed' refers to physical items in an envelope. For email attachments, 'attached' is standard. However, some formal or legal emails may use 'enclosed' metaphorically.
'Included' is more general (part of a whole). 'Enclosed' specifically means placed inside something (like an envelope or a boundary) or surrounded.
Not typically. For personality (e.g., reserved, private), use 'self-contained' or 'introverted'. 'Self-enclosed' is occasionally used in literary contexts.
It is grammatically correct but very formal and old-fashioned. Modern usage prefers simply 'enclosed' or 'please find enclosed'.