Grammar

Question

what is the proper way to write this: Dr. (Mrs.) Kamla     OR Dr. Mrs Kamla     OR Dr. Ms Kamla

Matthewg · Accepted Answer

A woman with a doctorate: Dr Kamla.
A married/older woman: Mrs Kamla.
An young, unmarried woman: Ms Kamla.

BMO · Answer

Dr. Banton and his wife, who is also a medical doctor, are invited to the party.

Dr. and Mrs. Dr. Banton?

Dr. Banton and Mrs. Dr. Banton?

Matthewg · Answer

If Dr Banton's name is Peter:

Dr and Mrs P Banton

If Dr Banton's name is Alex:

Dr and Mrs A Banton

It does look strange, but that is the way to address invitations.

Guest · Answer

I have to strongly disagree with these answers, as a native British speaker.

A female Dr is called Dr, whatever her marital status.

Ms does not refer to a young unmarried woman.

Miss refers to an unmarried woman.

Mrs refers to a married woman.

Ms refers to any woman and is used when you do not know her marital status, or is used by a lot of women as their title of choice as they don't believe their marital status is relevant to anyone else - it really is the equivalent of Mr.

The practice of addressing a married woman by her husband's name or initial is obsolete in Western countries, and can be seen as quite offensive. Perhaps this is a cultural thing, and it might still apply elsewhere, I am not sure. It is seen as extremely old-fashioned here and, although you might still find it in a few etiquette books etc, it is certainly not normal practice any more.

Personally, I would go with
Drs. Banton (Drs. being plural of Dr, and thus including them both)

or

Dr P Banton and Dr A Banton,

Matthewg · Answer

You're right, my advice was misdirected. At school I was taught to use Miss and Mrs in the same way that you'd use Mdm and Mme in French, but this is wrong.

BMO · Answer

This doesn't say Mrs. Banton is also a medical doctor.

Grammar

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions