reply an e mail

Question

hi,  i would appreciate if you could give me diffirent ways to great a client in an e mail then starting answering his questions.

KrisBlueNZ · Accepted Answer

There are lots of ways to start an email.

Hi John, <-- if you communicate regularly with this person
Dear John, <-- for your first reply to the person
Dear Mr. Johnson, <-- if your relationship is formal
Dear Sir, <-- very formal; used if you don't know the person's name
Dear Sir/Madam, <-- ditto, used if you don't know the person's *** either
Hello John, <-- OK for any situation
John, <-- terse (brief), appropriate for a quick reply to someone you know well

Thanks for your email. <-- good if you are providing help or some other service

Beyond that, it really depends on what the other person has said in the email you're replying to.

You can also look at the salutation in the email you've received. If it starts "Dear Fred," then you can start your reply "Dear John," unless there is a formal superior/inferior relationship between you, where he addresses you by your first name but you address him formally.

If you're working for a service agency, the company may have guidelines for you to follow.

Some people insist that "Hello John" and "Hi John" should always be written "Hello, John." and "Hi, John." This is not often seen these days, and I personally don't use it because commas normally signal a pause in speech and there is no pause between those words. But you may be challenged on it.

reply an e mail

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