THEME THURSDAY: FORMAL vs. INFORMAL BUSINESS EMAILS (PART 1)
02 / 10 / 2014
THEME THURSDAY: FORMAL vs. INFORMAL BUSINESS EMAILS (PART 1): meaning and examples
Hello everyone.
As you now know, on Theme Thursday the Daily Vitamin focuses on an English theme. For the month of October, we are discussing formal and informal business English. Today we are looking at beginning an email (or letter) in English.
The email's beginning depends on two things:
1. If the email is formal or informal
2. If you know the person you are addressing
Use these examples when you do not know the name of the person you are addressing.
Example 1 (formal): Dear Sir or Madam:
Example 2 (formal): To Whom It May Concern:
When you know the name of the person you are addressing, use Dear:
Example 3 (formal): Dear Mr./Mrs/ Smith:
Use Ms. if you do not know if a woman is married.
If you know the person very well, you can begin the letter informally. This is best when you do a lot of business with this person.
Example 4 (informal): Dear Mike,
Notice that some of the examples use a comma (,) but some use a colon (:). The colon is a common American English punctuation mark for formal letters, and the comma is for informal writing. British letters often avoid punctuation marks in the opening, although this can vary greatly.
Next week on Theme Thursday we will continue this lesson and look at ways to end business letters. Tomorrow, for Phrasal Verb Friday, we will look at three-part phrasal verbs.
Until then, have a great day!
As you now know, on Theme Thursday the Daily Vitamin focuses on an English theme. For the month of October, we are discussing formal and informal business English. Today we are looking at beginning an email (or letter) in English.
The email's beginning depends on two things:
1. If the email is formal or informal
2. If you know the person you are addressing
Use these examples when you do not know the name of the person you are addressing.
Example 1 (formal): Dear Sir or Madam:
Example 2 (formal): To Whom It May Concern:
When you know the name of the person you are addressing, use Dear:
Example 3 (formal): Dear Mr./Mrs/ Smith:
Use Ms. if you do not know if a woman is married.
If you know the person very well, you can begin the letter informally. This is best when you do a lot of business with this person.
Example 4 (informal): Dear Mike,
Notice that some of the examples use a comma (,) but some use a colon (:). The colon is a common American English punctuation mark for formal letters, and the comma is for informal writing. British letters often avoid punctuation marks in the opening, although this can vary greatly.
Next week on Theme Thursday we will continue this lesson and look at ways to end business letters. Tomorrow, for Phrasal Verb Friday, we will look at three-part phrasal verbs.
Until then, have a great day!
