10 Common Business English Abbreviations to Know

Learn the most common English abbreviations used in professional settings to communicate more efficiently and confidently at work.

An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase. There are several abbreviations in English that are used in business contexts. Knowing them can not only save you time but also help you communicate more effectively in professional settings. Here are 10 must-know abbreviations and what they mean:

1. ASAP - As Soon As Possible 

Meaning: ASAP is used to request urgent action on something, such as a task. While common, it's a good idea to use sparingly to maintain its sense of urgency. 

Example: "Can you send me the report ASAP?"

2. RSVP - Please Respond 

Meaning: RSVP comes from the French phrase "Répondez s'il vous plaît," which translates to "please respond." This abbreviation is used to request a confirmation of attendance or participation in an event.

Example: "Please RSVP for the quarterly sales strategy meeting by December 10th."

3. EOD - End Of Day 

Meaning: EOD refers to the end of the business day (usually 5 PM) and is usually used when assigning deadlines. Remember to specify a timezone for remote teams! 

Example: "The report needs to be completed by EOD."

4. CC - Carbon Copy 

Meaning: Used when you send a copy to someone, for example, a copy of an email or letter. 

Example: "Please CC the marketing department for the copy you wrote."

5. ETA - Estimated Time of Arrival 

Meaning: Used to inform the time you expect to arrive. 

Example: "What's your ETA?"

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6. N/A - Not Applicable 

Meaning: When something is not available, often used when you cannot give a relevant answer to a question or statement. 

Example: "If the statement does not apply to you, answer with N/A."

7. KPI - Key Performance Indicator 

Meaning: Chances are you will hear this abbreviation a lot in office settings. A KPI is a quantifiable measurement, often used to track a company's performance over time in relation to goals. 

Example: "One of our KPIs this quarter is generation of leads."

8. FYI - For Your Information 

Meaning: Used to share non-urgent information. 

Example: "I shared the presentation with you FYI."

9. TBA/TBD - To Be Announced/To Be Determined 

Meaning: Both of these abbreviations are used when certain details are not confirmed. The difference is that TBA implies future announcement whereas TBD suggests active decision-making. 

Example: "The location of the conference is TBA."

10. OOO - Out of Office 

Meaning: Used to indicate unavailability during working hours. 

Example: "I will be OOO on Thursday."