1. Home
  2. Computing & Technology
  3. Email

"Re:" is for Replies

By Heinz Tschabitscher, About.com

If you reply to an email message, your email program probably inserts "Re: " in front of the original message subject automatically. You can think of this "Re:" as an abbreviation of "Reply:" (or maybe "Response:").

"Re:" as "Regarding" or "In Re" is Redundant in Subject Lines

Contrary to other contexts, "Re:" does not mean "Regarding:" when used in email subjects. The subject line of an email message already contains "Subject:" to indicate the line's purpose.

(Strictly speaking, "Re" is an abbreviated form of the Latin "in re", which, "re" being the ablative case of "res" (thing), means "concerning" or "in the matter of".)

"Re:" is for Replies

"Re:" should only be used in replies.

If you put "Re:" in front of the subject of a message that is not a reply, the recipient will be thoroughly confused, thinking they received a reply to a message they did not write with a subject they do not know.

Explore Email
About.com Special Features

Stay connected and entertained with reviews on tips on the latest HDTVs, cellphones and more. More >

Easy ways to connect two computers for networking purposes. More >

  1. Home
  2. Computing & Technology
  3. Email
  4. Etiquette and Productivity
  5. Email Etiquette Tips
  6. "Re:" is for Replies - About Email>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.