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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

is it correct?

Is it formal way to ask "Sir, do you have the newspaper?
  

Top answer

Anonymous Is it formal way to ask "Sir, do you have the newspaper? That is fine if you do not know the person's name. American and British English use the name if known: Mr Smith, do you have the newspaper?

— Mister Micawber

  • Anonymous Is it formal way to ask "Sir, do you have the newspaper?
  • That is fine if you do not know the person's name.
  • American and British English use the name if known: Mr Smith, do you have the newspaper?
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3 Answers
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AnonymousIs it formal way to ask "Sir, do you have the newspaper?
That is fine if you do not know the person's name. American and British English use the name if known:

Mr Smith, do you have the newspaper?
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But calling someone Sir/Madame means giving them respect though you know their name. So, isn't it ethical?
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In the US, we are rarely that formal. Here are some exceptions:

We call men "Sir" if that is part of their name by being knighted by a queen or king. (Sir Elton John.)
A soldier addresses his superior officer "Sir" (or Ma'am) even when he knows his or her name.
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