To whom it may concern alternative
This is because…even the slightest details could bear certain connotations that may affect the reader’s interpretation of the writer’s message and attitude. In correspondence, it is ideal that we know whom exactly we should address our message to however, this seemingly no-brainer task can be a bit tricky sometimes. The conjunction “or” is used to mean that the two titles are optional, thereby suggesting that the gender is also unknown to the writer. The honorific “Sir” is masculine, while “Madam” is feminine in English. The salutation “Dear Sir or Madam” may imply that the writer doesn’t know the addressee.
What does using “Dear Sir or Madam” imply? To deal with this, we can use alternative expressions instead, for having a bunch of options with certain connotations enables us to adjust the tonality of our message. This is what can be implied by using “Dear Sir or Madam” as salutation, which is a bit obnoxious for the reader. You can also leave us a comment about this post below.In a world driven by quick and easy access to information, it is almost impossible not to know whom we should dedicate our letters or e-mails to.Īs this is the case, it’s almost always considered impolite to write fleeting or unspecific addressees because it may suggest that we didn’t exert enough time and effort to inquire or search for such details. Whether you’re a student, a business professional, or a language enthusiast, we welcome you to visit us whenever you’re looking for answers. We created this website to become your dependable resource for ways you can strengthen your grammar and writing in American English. Come Back for More Writing and Grammar Guidance This is a case when you might use To Whom It May Concern to open your letter. You might also not be preoccupied with how the tone of your communication will be received. In other instances, such as writing a letter or email to express a grievance, you might not be concerned about directing your complaint to a specific person. For instance, if you do your research and do not locate a specific recipient for your correspondence, you are justified in using To Whom It May Concern, which will still present your letter or email as respectful. Occasions remain in which using it still can make sense.
Going Back to the Original QuestionĪlthough it’s typically better to use an alternative greeting today, we won’t say that you should never write To Whom It May Concern. Among those who view them as such, your letter or email could inspire a more-positive reaction from the start. Here are some other ways you can open a letter today:Įach of these could be perceived as more directed and engaging than To Whom It May Concern. Often when people begin a letter or email with To Whom It May Concern, they do so because they cannot think of a more appropriate greeting. The good news is that there are other approaches to suit contemporary preferences. Beginning correspondence with To Whom It May Concern could give the impression that we did not make the effort to find out who would want to read the letter when such information is available. We also live in a time when finding names and other contact details is easier than ever. For one thing, many people consider it to be too old-fashioned. In recent years this has become less preferred. Another common salutation in the same spirit was Dear Sir or Dear Madam.
For instance, if you had been writing to the manufacturer of your favorite product, this could have been a proper opening to your letter. This greeting used to be frequent because it was a formal, respectful way to approach written communication with people whose identity or familiarity might not be known. We will address that topic and more in this discussion. You might be seeing it used less often these days, which might lead you to wonder when the salutation is proper to include in a letter or email. The classic letter opening To Whom It May Concern was once incredibly common and popular. When Should You Use To Whom It May Concern?