Style for addressing a formal letter to multiple people
February 9, 2013 5:51 AM Subscribe
When addressing a formal or business letter to multiple parties, say, A, B, and C, is there a rule for the order, e.g. by how important people are? I.e. if A is more important than B is more important than C, is it:
Dear Mr. A, Ms. B and Dr. C: or
Dear Dr. C., Ms. B and Mr. A:
and are there style guides that I can reference for this?
Unrelated bonus question -- have people really stopped using colons and started to spew commas, even for addressing recipients in formal correspondence in America?
Unrelated bonus question -- have people really stopped using colons and started to spew commas, even for addressing recipients in formal correspondence in America?
Always address the "most important" person first, however that is set up at a particular establishment.
Yes, some people don't use colons. However, no one will be offended if you use a colon, and some may be offended if you use a comma. The possible consequence of a comma is greater than the possible consequence of a colon, so play it safe.
posted by Etrigan at 6:01 AM on February 9, 2013
Yes, some people don't use colons. However, no one will be offended if you use a colon, and some may be offended if you use a comma. The possible consequence of a comma is greater than the possible consequence of a colon, so play it safe.
posted by Etrigan at 6:01 AM on February 9, 2013
If there is no clear hierarchy I'd alphabetize the recipients.
posted by Breav at 6:18 AM on February 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Breav at 6:18 AM on February 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
I like to use "Good morning" and not use any names when it's a multiple situation
posted by Lornalulu at 2:32 PM on February 9, 2013
posted by Lornalulu at 2:32 PM on February 9, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by oranger at 5:54 AM on February 9, 2013