Jenda  +  419130 Sat, 15 Sep 07 05:25 PM While I hate this phrase myself, I've frequently seen it being used when addressing an organisation of some sort, where you aren't actually addressing an individual (and therefore logically shouldn't use "Dear Sir or Madam,"). The person who actually reads the letter is usually a person who is paid to handle requests like yours - this could be when filing a formal complaint to the local telephone company or trying to retrieve some information from a government office. Jenda Joined on Sat, Jun 16 2007 New Member 06 Whom

	Clive  +  419137 Sat, 15 Sep 07 05:32 PM Hi, I disagree that this is appropriate, for the reasons I gave earlier. There's nothing wrong with beginning the kind of letter you describe simply by saying 'Dear Sir', or 'Dear Sir or Madam' if you prefer. Clive Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,577 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo Whom

	Jenda  +  419231 Sat, 15 Sep 07 11:10 PM A matter of opinion, I suppose. I still don't like it, and wouldn't use it - just saying I have seen it used in that manner. Jenda Whom

	Clive  +  438081 Fri, 02 Nov 07 09:29 PM Hi, I wouldn't. However, I don't remember the last time in my life that I used this phrase in a letter, and I wouldn't be surprised if I never use it on any future occasion. In other words, I never use it, and I strongly suspect that it is not a suitable phrase for you to consider using. I hope you take the time to read the earlier posts in this thread, where this is discussed in more detail. Best wishes, Clive  Clive Whom

	Grammar Geek  +  442256 Tue, 13 Nov 07 08:51 PM Hello Anon, I not only have read a great many letters, but I have written a great many as well. In North American, you are far more likely to find a letter ending "Sincerely," than anything else. Perhaps you didn't mean it to be so, but the tone of your post is quite rude and hostile. I hope you'll take the time to read though other posts here. Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,651 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random! Whom