ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: To whom it May/Might concern.

Clive — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:42:57 GMT

Hi,

another word for concern

There are quite a number, for example solicitude and interest.

It depends on what you are trying to say. Do you want to use it as a noun or as a verb?

( Please say 'please' next time. We are all volunteers here at the Forum. Thank you. )

Best wishes, Clive.

Re: To whom it May/Might concern.

Anonymous — Mon, 05 May 2008 21:08:31 GMT

another word for concern

Re: To whom it May/Might concern.

Anonymous — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 02:32:12 GMT

How exactly could i start a letter of recommendation? And I mean the exact words... help?!!?!

Re: To whom it May/Might concern.

CalifJim — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 09:37:25 GMT

To me, may and might have virtually the same meaning, so I don't find either may or might more appropriate.

would shows an implied condition.

If you asked me to make an educated guess, I would say ...

I would say therefore shows that a person is giving an opinion, an estimate. What is said is not necessarily something which has been scientifically researched.

Clive is saying it now, so the future will say doesn't make sense.

CJ

Re: To whom it May/Might concern.

Jackson6612 — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 09:28:19 GMT

CalifJim wrote:
It's an idiom, that is, a fixed formula of words. Idioms cannot be changed without seeming wrong to native speakers.

Consider for example the idiom kicked the bucket, which means died. Even though another word for bucket is pail, we can't change this to kicked the pail without seeming quite ridiculous to anyone who hears us speaking this way!!! I'm sure you can find examples of this sort of thing in your own language.

CJ

CJ, for the time being forget that it's an idiom, then I think you will find the use of might more appropriate. Right?

In the last post Clive said:

''I would say that we rarely start a letter with those words.''

Why is he using would? Shouldn't he say:

''I will/shall say that we rarely start a letter with those words.''?

Re: To whom it May/Might concern.

Clive — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 22:25:25 GMT

Hi Jackson,

Many times we start letter by writing, to whom it may concern. This is not an accurate statement. I would say that we rarely start a letter with those words. I don't even remember the last time in my life that I did that.

If you search the Forum with this expression, you'll find information on the rare and special occasions that this may be appropriate. However, my advice to you is not to even consider using this form of address.

I think you are probably wondering how to start a letter to someone if you don't know their name. That's a very different question. Possible choices include 'Dear Sir or Madam', among others.

Best wishes, Clive

Re: To whom it May/Might concern.

CalifJim — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 19:06:42 GMT

It's an idiom, that is, a fixed formula of words. Idioms cannot be changed without seeming wrong to native speakers.

Consider for example the idiom kicked the bucket, which means died. Even though another word for bucket is pail, we can't change this to kicked the pail without seeming quite ridiculous to anyone who hears us speaking this way!!! I'm sure you can find examples of this sort of thing in your own language.

CJ

Re: To whom it May/Might concern.

Lil' Ruby Rose — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 19:03:35 GMT

This is a commonly-used expression which has been in use for very many years - the phrasing is a bit old-fashioned, but it just stands as it is.

To whom it May/Might concern.

Jackson6612 — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 19:01:23 GMT

Many times we start letter by writing, to whom it may concern. Can't we write to whom it might concern? If can't, then what's the reason?