In our digital era, it’s important to understand the language of electronic communication. One common term we come across, especially in professional correspondence, is “CC”. This term stands for “Carbon Copy”, a phrase originating from the era of typewriters and handwritten documents.
Today, in the context of emails, “CC” refers to the act of sending a copy of your email to another recipient, keeping them in the loop. Now, a potential source of confusion arises when we want to convey this action in past tense.
“CC’d” Vs “CC’ed”
How one denotes the past action of sending a carbon copy in an email has been a topic of debate among professionals. Two primary variants seen are “CC’d” and “CC’ed”. Both these forms have become common in business writing, though they are not standard English words.
“CC’d” is the most popular variant. It’s clear, concise, and follows the general tendencies of English abbreviations. For example, you might say, “I CC’d the manager on the email.
” It signifies that the action of including someone else as a secondary recipient of the email has already taken place.
“CC’ed” is another form you might come across. However, it’s less common than “CC’d.” While it is not grammatically incorrect, this variant can appear cumbersome due to the extra ‘e’, and is often omitted in everyday usage.
Common Misunderstandings
It’s important to be aware of a few common misunderstandings around the use of “CC’d”. These misconceptions could potentially affect the efficacy of your communication.
- Being “CC’d” does not imply a need for action. It simply means you’re kept informed.
- “CC’d” is different from “reply all.” Both involve multiple recipients, but “reply all” responds to everyone involved in the email thread, while “CC’d” includes them as secondary recipients.
- Using “CC” is not considered informal or impolite. It’s a valuable tool for maintaining transparency and inclusive communication within professional settings. It can, however, lead to issues if misused or overused.
Best Practices
To avoid confusion and to communicate effectively, here are some suggestions to guide you:
- Avoid Overuse: While it’s beneficial to keep people informed, excessive use of the “CC” function can overwhelm recipients and clutter their inboxes.
- Use for Transparency: The “CC” function can be an effective tool for maintaining transparency within a team. You can “CC” relevant individuals to ensure everyone is on the same page.
- Respect Privacy: Be mindful of the recipient’s privacy. If you are including a large group of people, especially if they do not know each other, consider using the BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) function.
Conclusion
Language continually evolves with the changing modes of communication. In the case of “CC”, which has smoothly transitioned from being a noun to a verb, there’s been some ambiguity in its past tense form. The key takeaway from this guide is that both “CC’d” and “CC’ed” have been used, but “CC’d” is the preferred and the most widely accepted form. By adopting these practices, your email communication can remain both professional and effective.