opening task of a letter - with comma and point in UK?

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	spinnaker  #326909  Fri, 09 Feb 07 03:13 PM Hi everybody. I've got a question about the opening task of a letter. Americans often start this way: Hi, Peter. Question: Is this way also in the UK correct? Or do they leave the comma and the point or not?    spinnaker Joined on Sat, Apr 23 2005 Regular Member (767)
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	nona the brit  #326947  Fri, 09 Feb 07 05:13 PM That would be a very informal letter so I'm not sure you need to worry too much about 'rules' anyway (are you sure the US would finish a salutation with a full stop?). Hi Peter, is the form I would think is most common in the UK to match with the more formal 'Dear Peter,'    nona the brit Joined on Wed, Sep 22 2004 England Veteran Member (11,296) The name says it all.
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	spinnaker  #326990  Fri, 09 Feb 07 06:25 PM Well the letter is very informal. And yes, the American write it with a point in the end!    spinnaker
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	Grammar Geek  #327006  Fri, 09 Feb 07 06:47 PM This American would say: Hi Nona, Hello Spinnaker,    Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Pennsylvania, USA Veteran Member (15,195) Barbara, who answers in American English.
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	spinnaker  #327028  Fri, 09 Feb 07 07:53 PM Sure? Someone told me to set a comma!    spinnaker
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	nona the brit  #327032  Fri, 09 Feb 07 08:11 PM I think the American style is often to complete a salutation with a colon : but not a full stop.    nona the brit
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	Grammar Geek  #327040  Fri, 09 Feb 07 08:29 PM Yes, just so, in a business letter, we would use the colon. Dear Ms. the'Brit: Dear Mr. Spinnaker: But the full stop is not right.    Grammar Geek
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	spinnaker  #327049  Fri, 09 Feb 07 08:59 PM OK! And what's about the comma after hi?    spinnaker
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