http://www.englishforums.com/English/EslGeneralEnglishGrammar-Questions/Forum12.htmAsk your questions on grammar and get your sentence checked. We answer lots of different types of general English grammar questions here. <font color=red>DO NOT post paragraphs and compositions here. Post them in our <a href="http://www.englishforums.com/English/EssayReportCompositionWriting/Forum9.htm"><b>Essay, Report and Composition Writing Forum</b></a>.</font>enXMOD (Build: 3614.32638)http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralQuestion/dqjml/post.htm#332216Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:32:25 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:332216Clive0http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralQuestion/dqjml/post.htm#332216http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-332216.xmlHi, It seems to me that the use of 'Mr.' in such phrases as 'Mr. President' or 'Mr. Secretary' arises from the strong American feeling that 'we are all equal'. eg "Good morning, Mr. Jones." "Good morning, Mr. President." (I'm Mr. Jones and you are Mr. President. We are both just two citizens.) From what I've read, in communist countries they use forms of address like 'Good morning, Comrade Colonel', rather than just 'Good morning, Colonel'. This seems to me to reflect a similar feeling that both parties are equal. On the other hand, in class-conscious Britain people don't say 'Good morning, Mrs./Madam Queen'. Best wishes, Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralQuestion/dqjml/post.htm#332196Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:32:25 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:332196Grammar Geek1http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralQuestion/dqjml/post.htm#332196http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-332196.xmlYes, exactly.http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralQuestion/dqjml/post.htm#332192Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:32:25 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:332192Aardvark42http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralQuestion/dqjml/post.htm#332192http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-332192.xmlGrammar Geek, I think that your interpretation is the correct one. When you mention a protocol officer, does this mean that there is not a gramatical answer and it instead comes down to tradition or protocol, rather than a definite rule?http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralQuestion/dqjml/post.htm#332157Sat, 24 Jan 2009 10:32:25 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:332157Grammar Geek3http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralQuestion/dqjml/post.htm#332157http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-332157.xmlOh yes... I was assuming that the "adminstrator" in question was a high ranking government official. I was envisioning some kind of situation like a U.S. Senate hearing, in which the person had to address two "administratrors." Hence my reference to a protocol officer.http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralQuestion/dqjml/post.htm#332048Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:32:25 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:332048Clive4http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralQuestion/dqjml/post.htm#332048http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-332048.xmlHi, There may possibly be some cultural differences involved in this query. I believe that in some countries, titles are commonly used when addressing people. For example, I think my Chinese students have told me that in mainland China, people say things like 'Good morning, Engineer Smith'. In N. America, titles are almost never used in this way. Things like 'Mr. President', 'Mr. Secretary' really only relate to a few important US government figures. They are never used for business people. In Britain and Canada, we'd just say 'Good morning, Prime Minister'. I can't think of a case where you would say 'Mr. Administrator'. Best wishes, Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralQuestion/dqjml/post.htm#332027Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:32:25 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:332027Grammar Geek5http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralQuestion/dqjml/post.htm#332027http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-332027.xmlHow would you address two men who held that position? Messieurs Adminstrator? Mister Adminstrators? We need a protocol officer here.http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralQuestion/dqjml/post.htm#331998Sun, 24 May 2009 09:32:25 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:331998Aardvark46http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralQuestion/dqjml/post.htm#331998http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-331998.xmlYes, I'm thinking of speaking to two people who hold the same title, and addressing them in a speech.http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralQuestion/dqjml/post.htm#331991Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:32:25 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:331991Grammar Geek7http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralQuestion/dqjml/post.htm#331991http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-331991.xmlHi Aardvark, I don't know why you would want to make that plural. You would only use "Madam Administrator" if you were actually SPEAKING to her, wouldn't you? In contrast, you might say "The attorneys general of the six New England states were having a meeting," but wouldn't you simply say "The administrators were meeting."? Are you thinking of a situation in which two women who both hold the title of adminstator would be talking to you at once, and you would say "Madam Adminstrators"? I may be confused though, so please tell me the situation you were thinking of. Thanks,http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralQuestion/dqjml/post.htmSun, 24 May 2009 09:32:25 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:331987Aardvark48http://www.englishforums.com/English/PluralQuestion/dqjml/post.htmhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-331987.xmlI have a quick question about plurals. I know that the plural of Attorney General is Attorneys General, and Secretary of State is Secretaries of State, but what of Madam Administrator or Madam Secretary? Would they be Madams Administrator and Madams Secretary, or Madams AdministratorS and Madams Secretaries? Thanks.