Usage of "Dear"

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LeiYee

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I'm a girl. Can I use Dear to a man, my officer, who is not very friendly with me?
 

Rover_KE

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No, unless you are writing a formal letter to him, in which case you would begin 'Dear Mr Horrid'.
 

LeiYee

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I'm sorry that I'm not clear.

You replied me "No". What does it mean?
I can use or I can't use.
 

charliedeut

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He means that, since you dislike the person in question (hence his "Dear Mr. Horrid), you would only want to use it as the opening formula in a polite letter. Otherwise, you have no reason to use it, since it is usually a term for people you love/like/are fond of.
 

LeiYee

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Oh! I see.
I think I miss some information. I want to write an email to my officer, upper level officer.

According to the replied answers, I can use "Dear Mr. A," as opening formula in my email. Is that right?
many thanks.
 

charliedeut

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Yes, that is right.
 
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