The phrase “dictated but not read” means a document was typed by a secretary under dictation, and the person who dictated it did not proofread it. It can be seen as rude and implies the sender did not care enough. The phrase is often used in business and management, and it is intended as an apology for any errors found. However, it has a negative connotation associated with it, and some people respond with “received but not read.”
The phrase “dictated but not read” indicates that the text of a letter or other document, on which the phrase appears, was dictated to another person and incorrect. This is usually indicative of a document that was typed by a secretary or stenographer under dictation from the person sending the document. Once the letter or typed text has been completed, the person who dictated the letter does not proofread it and simply sends the letter. Use of the phrase can be seen as rude or tactless, as it is often implied that the person who dictated the letter did not bother enough to read it before sending it.
Sometimes abbreviated “DBNR,” usage of the phrase comes from business people and managers who have secretary-type letters to them. The manager dictates the contents of the letter aloud, and the secretary or stenographer types or writes the letter for the manager. Once completed, the manager can review the contents of the letter, usually before signing it, and approve it for sending. When the phrase “dictated but not read” is used, it means that the person who dictated the letter did not correct it.
The phrase is likely intended as an apology for any errors or errors found in the letter or document on which it appears. If a letter was dictated but not read, any errors in the letter are the result of the typist and need not reflect the person from whom the letter was sent. This could also potentially be used as a way out of any legal issues that could arise from the documents being incorrect in any way. Someone who has not signed the document and stamped it with this phrase can always argue that some material contained in it has not been approved by him or her.
While “dictated but not read” is inherently harmless, it often has quite a negative connotation associated with it. People commonly see that message and think it indicates that the sender didn’t want to spend time reading it before sending it, implying that the recipient is not important to the sender. The phrase may imply that someone is so important that they don’t have time to read the document before sending it, but it usually sounds somewhat pompous or impersonal. A noteworthy response to this phrase, from those offended by it, is to return the letter to the sender with the addition of the phrase “received but not read”.
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