Forum newsfeeds
Forum Newsfeeds


Sites for Teachers

Sites for Teachers


Go Back   UsingEnglish.com ESL Forum > Learning English > Editing & Writing Topics > Letter Writing

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 03-Dec-2004, 18:48
Maytag
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Formal Salutation

What is the preferred form for a written formal salutation to a panel comprising some unknown combination of married/unmarried males and females? "Sirs:" seems inappropriate. "Mesdames and ___?:" doesn't seem right either.
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 03-Dec-2004, 23:16
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Country: UK
Posts: 25,435
Current Location: Phnom Penh
First Language: English
Member Type: English Teacher
Thanks: 6
Thanked 414 Times in 373 Posts
Tdol has disabled reputation
Default Re: Formal Salutation

I've seen Americans use 'Gentlemen', which sounds a bit weird in BE.
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 06-Dec-2004, 15:19
Maytag
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Formal Salutation

I agree. I had considered "Gentlemen" but forgot to include it. They all seem to have a male orientation that generally gets us in trouble here in the US, or they are clumsy for some other reason.
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 22-Dec-2004, 11:29
Newbie
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 30
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
rocos
Default Re: Formal Salutation

This is a difficult question, i can't understand it.

Last edited by Red5; 22-Dec-2004 at 15:12. Reason: Removed spammy link
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 22-Dec-2004, 14:46
Maytag
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Formal Salutation

I have concluded that there is probably no standard approach to it. However, after further thought, I believe that I will now use the same address that we use when speaking to a mixed audience: "Ladies and Gentlemen." That seems to work best for me.
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 23-Dec-2004, 02:30
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Country: UK
Posts: 25,435
Current Location: Phnom Penh
First Language: English
Member Type: English Teacher
Thanks: 6
Thanked 414 Times in 373 Posts
Tdol has disabled reputation
Default Re: Formal Salutation

I haven't found a standard approach. I believe yours is better than plain 'Gentlemen'.
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 25-Dec-2004, 11:03
ram ram is offline
Newbie
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Country: Philippines
Posts: 32
First Language: filipino
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
ram is on a distinguished road
Default Re: Formal Salutation

Deat Tdol,
in our country, where is AE is predominantly used, I usually see Sir/Madam.
Is this acceptable?
RAM
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 26-Dec-2004, 04:37
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Country: UK
Posts: 25,435
Current Location: Phnom Penh
First Language: English
Member Type: English Teacher
Thanks: 6
Thanked 414 Times in 373 Posts
Tdol has disabled reputation
Default Re: Formal Salutation

That's fine and what we use in BrE, but will that work when you know you are writing to a group of people, which is the question here. Using the singular when you know it's a panel sounds a bit strange too.
Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 28-Dec-2004, 14:06
ram ram is offline
Newbie
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Country: Philippines
Posts: 32
First Language: filipino
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
ram is on a distinguished road
Default Re: Formal Salutation

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't notice.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
formal, salutation

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
The difference between formal English and informal English Anonymous Ask a Teacher 12 21-Sep-2008 19:49
Formal characteristics of noun phrases Andromeda Ask a Teacher 2 12-Oct-2004 14:47
dictionary of very formal and very british english? Anonymous Ask a Teacher 3 31-Aug-2004 22:16
Formal letters Anonymous Ask a Teacher 1 06-Aug-2004 06:04
formal grammar teaching Anonymous Ask a Teacher 2 31-Oct-2003 14:12


New To Site? Need Help?

All times are GMT. The time now is 17:55.


vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.2.0
Copyright © 2002 - 2008 UsingEnglish.com