How do i prevent mail from being marked as read when selected?

[dejagerjacqueshu]

I am sure this question must have been covered before but cant find a concrete workaround. I am using Apple stock mail app on macOS, and am frustrated with it as it automatically marks an email as read when selected. For instance, if I delete an email in my inbox, the next email item is automatically marked as read when selected, even though I have not opened the email. I do use mail preview. In Outlook this does not happen as there is a setting for it. Any workaround in Apple mail when using message preview?

 

[nikkisharif]

re:

It's marked as read because you're technically reading it. I'm not sure there is a way to change that automatically but you can always mark them as unread manually.

 

[dejagerjacqueshu]

re:

I have removed the preview pane and that seems to have solved the problem