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Meaning & use

copy in

verb·Advanced

Last updated

UK/ˌkɒpi ˈɪn/
US/ˌkɑːpi ˈɪn/

Meanings

  1. verbtransitive or intransitive

    to include someone in an email or message so they receive a copy, usually for information only.

    Grammar: Takes an object, often with 'on': copy your manager in on the email.

    Patterns

    • copy someone in
    • copy someone in on something
    • copy in someone

    Please copy me in on the final report so I can see the numbers.

    She copied in the whole team when she sent the schedule.

    I'll copy you in so you know what was decided.

  2. verbtransitive

    to add someone to a written or printed list or document so they are included.

    Grammar: Takes an object and usually 'on' or 'to': copy the names in on the form.

    Patterns

    • copy someone in on something
    • copy something in

    Copy the new addresses in on the second page.

    Could you copy in the extra names before we print the invitations?

Word forms

third person singularcopies in
past tensecopied in
past participlecopied in
-ing formcopying in

Common combinations

copy someone in on an email
Always copy your client in on any email about the budget.
copy in the team
He copied in the team so everyone had the same information.
please copy me in
Please copy me in when you reply to the supplier.
copy someone in for information
I'm copying you in for information only; no action is needed.
keep someone copied in
She likes to be kept copied in on all project decisions.

Synonyms and how they differ

cc
The everyday verb for adding someone to an email; 'cc' is shorter and more common in American English, while 'copy in' sounds more British and slightly formal.
include
A general word for adding someone or something to a group or message; it does not specifically mean sending a copy of an email.
forward
Means sending a message you received on to someone else; 'copy in' means adding someone to a message you are sending.

Word family

copy noun
A duplicate of a document or message.
copy verb
To make a duplicate of something.
copied adjective
Describing someone who has been sent a copy, as in 'copied recipients'.

Commonly confused: copy in or copy on? copy in or carbon copy?

copy in vs copy on

Not a standard phrasal verb; learners sometimes drop 'in' and write 'copy me on the email', which is acceptable in American English but less common in British English.

copy in vs carbon copy

An old-fashioned paper copy made with carbon paper, or a person who is exactly like another; it is not used for emailing someone a copy.

Practice

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