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Guest Posted 22 years ago
Letter Writing

Addressing a letter - please help!

I am writing a business (legal) letter to "Mr Smith and Mrs Smith". How do I address them?

Dear Sirs? That's what my associate seems to think but it seems very sexist to me. I just don't know what else to do!

Thanks!
  

Top answer

If you know them personally or through business dealings, then 'Dear Mr & Mrs Smith' would be acceptable. g. telephone book, then Dear Sir /Madam would be used.

— Timbo

  • If you know them personally or through business dealings, then 'Dear Mr & Mrs Smith' would be acceptable.
  • g.
  • telephone book, then Dear Sir /Madam would be used.
  • Check out this thread for further info Writing to more than one person
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5 Answers
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If you know them personally or through business dealings, then 'Dear Mr & Mrs Smith' would be acceptable.

If you only know it is Mr/Mrs Smith through some information source e.g. telephone book, then Dear Sir /Madam would be used.

Check out this thread for further info

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I understood "Dear Sir/Madam" was used when you did not know the gender of the person (the "/" meaing "and or").

Is the letter to Mr AND Mrs Smith or is it to one person (surname/family name Smith) whose gender you don't know?
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AnonymousDear sir or madam


Never if you have the name of the recipient.
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