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Thread: Mr (Philip) Lee

  1. #1
    Tan Elaine is offline Key Member
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    Default Mr (Philip) Lee

    If my best friend is Philip Lee, I can introduce him to my friend as "He is Mr Lee." ("Lee" is the surname.). However, can I say "He is Mr Philip Lee"?

    Thanks.

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    Default Re: Mr (Philip) Lee

    Quote Originally Posted by Tan Elaine View Post
    If my best friend is Philip Lee, I can introduce him to my friend as "He is Mr Lee." ("Lee" is the surname.). However, can I say "He is Mr Philip Lee"?
    The answer depends on the culture in which you are living. In Europe I would never use 'Mr' in this situation, and I would use the surname only if thought it were useful for some reason.

    I would simply say, 'This (not 'he') is Philip'.

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    Tan Elaine is offline Key Member
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    Default Re: Mr (Philip) Lee

    Thanks, Fivejedjon.

    Let me ask the question in another way.

    We cannot say "He is Mr Philip." We can say "He is Mr Lee." However, can I say "He is Mr Philip Lee"?

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    Rover_KE is offline VIP Member
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    Default Re: Mr (Philip) Lee

    Fivejedjon has given you the best answer.

    Rover

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    luschen is offline Member
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    Default Re: Mr (Philip) Lee

    Quote Originally Posted by Tan Elaine View Post
    Thanks, Fivejedjon.

    Let me ask the question in another way.

    We cannot say "He is Mr Philip." We can say "He is Mr Lee." However, can I say "He is Mr Philip Lee"?
    I think the point is, saying "He is Mr. Phillip Lee" is correct, but very formal. In the U.S. one would say this when introducing a speaker to an audience:

    "Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce our speaker for the evening, Mr. Phillip Lee".
    Tan Elaine and freezeframe like this.

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    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    Default Re: Mr (Philip) Lee

    Quote Originally Posted by Tan Elaine View Post
    Thanks, Fivejedjon.

    Let me ask the question in another way.

    We cannot say "He is Mr Philip." We can say "He is Mr Lee." However, can I say "He is Mr Philip Lee"?
    I wouldn't use it in a personal introduction. Luschen's example of introducing a person to an audience works, though.
    Tan Elaine likes this.

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