There are numerous abbreviations which you might find in letters, especially those formal ones. Today, we’ll start with some of the most common ones. Let’s start with this blank email.

 

 

As you would usually do, you type recipient’s mail address at the ‘To’ colom. Let’s say the email is for Eeny.

1. Cc – carbon copy. This is to say that a copy of the email is also sent to the person(s) mentioned.
2. Bcc – blind carbon copy. It indicates people who will receive a copy of the message in secret. Other recipients wouldn’t know.

 

 

• Example 1 & 2 – Now, have a look at the pic above. It shows that:
  • Meeny also has a copy of the email. And…
  • every other people (Eeny & Meeny) wouldn’t realize that Miny & Mo are in the know too.

 

In emails, ‘cc’ & ‘bcc’ can normally be found at the top part of your emails.On the other hand, in written letters, cc might be positioned at the bottom.

Moving down to the body of the letter/email…

3. Ref – reference, with reference to. It shows which document or piece of information you are talking about.

• Example 3 – That is a fake reference code… just to point Eeny to the WhatsApp chat they had the night before.

 

4. ASAP – as soon as possible. If you see this, sender wants something done at the earliest possible time, if not immediately.

• Example 4 – Here, Etifoyu is urging Eeny to reply promptly, at the earliest time.

 

5. RSVP – Répondez s’I’ll vous plaît. It basically a request for a respond, in French.

• Example 5 – Etifoyu expects Eeny to respond soon or latest by Monday, August 1st, 2016.

 

6. PS – postscriptum, postscript. Its a note added to a letter/email after the writer has signed it.

• Example 6 – A short note for the recipient.

 

7. PPS – post postscript, additional postscript. This is for extra notes and positioned after PS. If there’s any, PS & PPS would be found after the writer’s signature.

• Example 7 – More short note for the recipient.

 

8. Encl. – enclosed. This shows that something else is being sent with the letter/email. It’s normally placed at the bottom of the letter.

• Example 8 – This part list out items sent along with the letter/email.

 

So, here’s what your email should look like now, fellas! And there goes 8 most  common abbreviations in emails.

I hope you find the explanations & graphics clear enough. If you have any question regarding today’s session, feel free to ask away!

 

 

Compiled and written by @miss_qiak for @EnglishTips4U on Sunday, 31 July, 2016

 

Related post(s):

• #BusEng: Complementary close – how to write a formal email (2)
• #BusEng: How to write a formal email for job application
• #EngTips: Writing formal letters and emails
• #EngTips: Basic etiquette in writing letters and emails
• #BusEng: DOs and DON’Ts on writing CV

 

^MQ