[Grammar] Dear John Carson and Mary Jean,

[uktous]

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

 

[emsr2d2]

Hi,

Question:
I am writing a letter, but there are 2 [STRIKE]receivers[/STRIKE] recipients/addressees.
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".

 

[shannico]

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!!!

 

[uktous]

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!!!

extra info:

John Carson
Mary Jean

are 2 names
red words are first name, and blue words are last name

 

[shannico]

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".

I would definitely stick to what emsr2d2 recommends

 

[Barb_D]

Dear Mr. Carson and Ms. Jean,

 

[BobSmith]

Dear Mr. Carson and Ms. Jean,

[not at teacher]

The above if formal, the following if informal or familiar:

Dear John and Mary,

Also, the order may matter if one is subordinate to the other, especially in the formal case.