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: 3607.32596)http://www.englishforums.com/English/LetterWriting/hbcgd/post.htm#592911Sun, 22 Mar 2009 23:52:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:592911lapislazuli0http://www.englishforums.com/English/LetterWriting/hbcgd/post.htm#592911http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-592911.xmlThank you, Mr Micawber. zshttp://www.englishforums.com/English/LetterWriting/hbcgd/post.htm#590303Fri, 22 May 2009 22:52:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:590303Mister Micawber1http://www.englishforums.com/English/LetterWriting/hbcgd/post.htm#590303http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-590303.xml. Hello lapislazuli, and welcome to English Forums. 1. Do I use a dot after Mr in the salutation?-- No dot is becoming the accepted form, but both are OK. 2. Do I use a comma or a colon or nothing at all after the salutation? -- Most use a colon for a business letter-- but again, I believe that BrE prefers no punctuation these days. 3. Do I start my first sentence with a capital letter? -- Yes, of course. Every sentence begins with a capital letter. Business practice (I mean punctuation) varies slightly from style guide to style guide. And there are certainly websites out there. I suggest that you follow the guidelines promulgated by the head of your department. .http://www.englishforums.com/English/LetterWriting/hbcgd/post.htmSun, 22 Feb 2009 23:52:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:590243lapislazuli2http://www.englishforums.com/English/LetterWriting/hbcgd/post.htmhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/comments12-590243.xmlHello, My questions concern writing official/business letters. 1. Do I use a dot after Mr in the salutation? 2. Do I use a comma or a colon or nothing at all after the salutation? 3. Do I start my first sentence with a capital letter? My head of department says that using a comma and starting the body with a capital letter are just &quot;things people do&quot; however, he claims that it is not &quot;proper English&quot;. Could you please let me know the official rules for starting a letter? Best would be if you could direct me to a link with such regulations. Thank you very much zs