"Dear Sir or Madam" or "To whom it may concern" when you aren't sure of the recipient's name.
"Dear Sir or Madam" or "To whom it may concern" when you aren't sure of the recipient's name.
The phrase "to whom it may concern" is known as a salutation or a formal greeting used at the beginning of a letter or email when the recipient is unknown.
To write an official greeting, begin with a polite salutation that addresses the recipient appropriately, such as "Dear [Title] [Last Name]". If the recipient's title is unknown, you can use "Dear Sir or Madam." Follow the salutation with a brief statement of purpose or a courteous remark to set a respectful tone. Ensure your language is formal and clear throughout the message.
recipient's address and a salutation
A salutation is a greeting used at the beginning of a communication, such as a letter or email. It typically addresses the recipient and sets a courteous tone for the message. Common examples include "Dear," "Hello," or "Hi," followed by the recipient's name or title. The choice of salutation can vary based on the formality of the correspondence and the relationship between the sender and recipient.
The classic non-sexist general salutation is "To Whom It May Concern:" It is also acceptable to use "Ladies and Gentlemen:" (my personal preference) or any other polite non-sexist phrase that is appropriate to your audience -- "To The Recipient Of This Letter:" or "Dear Recipient:" If you have any information about the nature of your recipient(s), you can use it to narrow the generality of your salutation -- "Dear Admissions Counselor:" or "To The Customer Service Staff:" or "Dear Service Representative:" or "Dear Animal Welfare Supporter:"
The appropriate salutation to use when requesting a letter of recommendation is "Dear Recipient's Name."
Yes, "To Whom It May Concern" is a suitable salutation to use when you are writing a letter to an unknown person. It is a formal way to address the recipient when you do not know their specific name or title.
An appropriate opening salutation for a formal letter or email typically begins with "Dear [Recipient's Name]," which sets a respectful tone. If you're unsure of the recipient's name, "Dear Sir or Madam," can be used. In more casual contexts, a simple "Hello" or "Hi [Name]" may suffice. Always consider the relationship with the recipient when choosing your salutation.
The proper salutation for a probate judge is "The Honorable [Judge's Full Name]."
What is the proper salutation for a register of wills, e.g. Honorable John White?
Following the name of the recipient in the salutation