Hi,
Question:
I am writing a letter, but there are 2 receivers.
At the start, how I should write the names after the word "Dear"?
Sentence:
Dear John Carson and Mary Jean,
Dear John Carson / Mary Jean,
Thanks
It sounds odd to use the surname for one but not the other. I'm assuming that "Mary Jean" are the lady's two first names, not that her surname is Jean.
It really depends how well you know them. If you're pretty well acquainted, then I would simply write "Dear John and Mary [Jean]"
If you don't know them that well, then "Dear Mr Carson and Ms/Miss/Mrs + Mary's surname".
How about,
Dear John and Mary Jean Carson??? That is, of course, if they are married and Mary Jean decided to take her husband's name.
If I was sure she had, I'd use that formula.
Hope it helps
p.s. Though as emsr2d2 said, I would probably include only their names or surnames on the salutation line. I was thinking more of what to write on the back of the envelope!!!
Last edited by shannico; 19-Jan-2012 at 11:48. Reason: p.s. added
Dear Mr. Carson and Ms. Jean,
I'm not a teacher, but I write for a living. Please don't ask me about 2nd conditionals, but I'm a safe bet for what reads well in (American) English.