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Guest Posted 22 years ago
Letter Writing

Ms., Miss. or Mrs.

In forms, such as application forms, should you put a Ms Miss. or Mrs. in front of your whole name?

If you choose to use Mrs., can it be used with your real name (as in Mrs. Winnie Smith instead of Mrs. John Smith)?

When is it appropriate for a married woman to use Ms? Should Ms be used without a dot, since it´s not an abbreviation. How about the use of capital letters (Mr in the middle of a sentence)?

This may all seem trivial and I have not given the use of Miss. or Mrs. much thought until I got married. Before that I used Ms, but was shocked to find out that the use of Ms is not accepted in all societies.

Hopefully I will earn a Ph.D. soon so that I can start using Dr., a whole lot less trouble.

  

Top answer

I was taught: Ms. = When you're not sure if the person is married Mrs. = When you're certain the person is married

— Anonymous

  • I was taught: Ms.
  • = When you're not sure if the person is married Mrs.
  • = When you're certain the person is married
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47 Answers
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I was taught:

Ms. = When you're not sure if the person is married
Mrs. = When you're certain the person is married
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If you are married you can choose between Mrs. or Ms.

Mrs. tells the world you are married.

Ms is neutral regarding your marital state.

And yes, you can use Mrs. with your real name, the idea of having to put Mrs. John Smith is incredibly old-fashioned and looks bizarre.

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I am certain about how to use Ms, & Mrs, however is Miss used if she is a widow or in what way should Miss be used?
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Miss should only be used of a never married woman. A widow should still be referred to as Mrs.
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Nona The BritAnd yes, you can use Mrs. with your real name, the idea of having to put Mrs. John Smith is incredibly old-fashioned and looks bizarre.

It's always safe to use Ms. especially if you're concerned with gender.

For example: Is Mrs. Jamie Smith a Jamie or is that her husband's name?
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Miss is for a young lady (teen and younger). When a girl becomes a woman it is Ms. or Mrs.
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AnonymousMiss is for a young lady (teen and younger). When a girl becomes a woman it is Ms. or Mrs.
Mrs is an indication of marital status, not of age. A woman continues to be Miss until she dies if she does not marry.
Ms can be used by either an unmarried or a married woman.
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I am a student in college, still senior, when I applied for the yasi test, I was puzzled by the words Miss and Ms.

I'm 21 years old, thanks for any replies!

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Hi,

Did you read the earlier posts in this thread about this?

Is there anything in particular that is puzzling you?

Clive

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*71*0 01p

00Yes, as a 21 year old or any twenty, thirty, forty something...you will be referred to either 01code00Miss02code00, or 01code00Ms.02code00 based on your preference on how you wished to be perceived.02p

01p

00In any case of marriage, deceased or not, you then by title of law are referred to as 01co

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