http://www.englishforums.com/English/LegalEnglish/Forum34.htmInternational law and specific national laws can be discussed here.enXMOD (Build: 3607.32596)http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/6/cnpjr/Post.htm#963988Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:03:54 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:963988Anonymous0http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/6/cnpjr/Post.htm#963988http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-963988.xmlits means and purpose is the same people use it when they want to write a letter or note andare either unsure or dont care who gets ithttp://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/6/cnpjr/Post.htm#925771Sat, 03 Oct 2009 01:59:48 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:925771Anonymous1http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/6/cnpjr/Post.htm#925771http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-925771.xml"TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN" MEANS TO "TO THE RESPONSIBLE PERSON WHO HAS THE FINAL DECISION AND WHO HAS THE RIGHT TO READ YOUR LETTER AND MAKE THE DECISION. THANK YOU.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/6/cnpjr/Post.htm#771432Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:26:58 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:771432Clive2http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/6/cnpjr/Post.htm#771432http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-771432.xmlHi, Since no-one seems to want to quote a "rule", let me offer the opinion that it's really just a matter of the style you like best. Personally, I wouldn't capitalize every word. Let me draw your attention to the suggestions earlier in the thread that this form of salutation is rarely used, except for "open"letters of reference. I've provbably only written 'To whom it may concern' 3 or 4 times in the last 10 years, which is why I don't think about it in terms of "rules". Are you sure you are going to use it appropriately? Best wishes, Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/6/cnpjr/Post.htm#769063Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:02:04 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:769063Anonymous3http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/6/cnpjr/Post.htm#769063http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-769063.xmlAre we supposed to capitalize each word in the greeting -To Whom It May Concern ? Or is it, To whom it may concern ? Does anyone know FOR SURE?http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/6/cnpjr/Post.htm#745431Sun, 24 May 2009 13:20:24 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:745431Clive4http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/6/cnpjr/Post.htm#745431http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-745431.xmlHi, i mean tha the proble is depends on the people that u used to know how to regest the proble in that face them so that they try to get to the people to help them in the problem hat the faced them and then they play some thing tat u r to get unkidaable thing andd may facethan in the coming life and they dont know it so let do it by our self . it will be handing as to a good thing to our life help as in many thing and thanks for the opporinaty, You need to rewrite this. It's impossible to understand. Best wishes, Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/6/cnpjr/Post.htm#745399Sun, 24 May 2009 11:49:29 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:745399Anonymous5http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/6/cnpjr/Post.htm#745399http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-745399.xmli mean tha the proble is depends on the people that u used to know how to regest the proble in that face them so that they try to get to the people to help them in the problem hat the faced them and then they play some thing tat u r to get unkidaable thing andd may facethan in the coming life and they dont know it so let do it by our self . it will be handing as to a good thing to our life help as in many thing and thanks for the opporinaty,http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/6/cnpjr/Post.htm#694730Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:34:35 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:694730Anonymous6http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/6/cnpjr/Post.htm#694730http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-694730.xmla friend of mine ask me to write a letter that tells for how long time i been knowing him and what kind of person is he.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/6/cnpjr/Post.htm#689460Sat, 21 Mar 2009 21:54:11 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:689460Anonymous7http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/6/cnpjr/Post.htm#689460http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-689460.xmlhi, in fact I have the same concern, but I am pretty sure that the person who create such phrase is so smart. best wish,http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/6/cnpjr/Post.htm#679904Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:16:24 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:679904Forbes8http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/6/cnpjr/Post.htm#679904http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-679904.xmlI recently wrote a letter of explanation to a board of members who oversee the disbursement of financial aid to university students. Not knowing their names / gender / position / titles, I used the phrase, "To whom it may concern:". I double-checked with the English department before sending my statement and I was told that it was perfectly fine to use this phrase. I do not think this use is quite correct. "To whom it may concern" should only be used where the person who is to read the letter is unknown. That is not the same as not knowing someone's name. In this case you knew who your letter was going to - the board. I think you had two options: 1. To address the letter to the board and start: "Dear...http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/5/cnpjr/Post.htm#678230Sun, 22 Feb 2009 08:09:18 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:678230Anonymous9http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/5/cnpjr/Post.htm#678230http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-678230.xmlIt can be used to begin a suicide note.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/5/cnpjr/Post.htm#663557Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:54:49 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:663557Anonymous10http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/5/cnpjr/Post.htm#663557http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-663557.xmlReally? I have lived an worked in North America my whole life. And I have never seen 'Yours faithfully'. It's weird and seems more like an intimate ending. Of course my experience has been contained mostly to business and graduate school in Bio-chemistry. Maybe thats why. But now you have two data points from people saying they have not seen it used. I would maintain that there is a significant population of people that work professionally, that have not seen this. So now I will take myself out of that population... Yours faithfully :-) Doug PS - I am not weird, really!! I read through the whole thing and I want to ask about email endings - above was mentioned, that it may or my not sound strange the phrase "Yours...http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/5/cnpjr/Post.htm#576741Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:576741Clive11http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/5/cnpjr/Post.htm#576741http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-576741.xmlHi, I hope that Clive allow us to use the phrase. This sounds like you need my permission. Big Smile" src="http://www.englishforums.com/emoticons/emotion-2.gif" _height="19" _width="19"> You don't! Best wishes, Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/5/cnpjr/Post.htm#576653Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:576653Anonymous12http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/5/cnpjr/Post.htm#576653http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-576653.xmlNote: he didn't talk about the phrase "Yours faithfully". He talked about the phrase "To whom it may concern".http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/5/cnpjr/Post.htm#576650Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:576650Anonymous13http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/5/cnpjr/Post.htm#576650http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-576650.xmlHi guys, I'd like to mention a point I offered some time ago. 'To whom it may concern' is so rarely used that I don't remember the last time I ever used it. Perhaps half a dozen times in my entire life. Other people have also noted that in this thread that it is not often, even rarely, used, but I feel that readres may be overlooking this advice. There seems to be so much interest in this phrase that I am concerned that English learners are going to start large numbers of letters in a way that is totally inappropriate. Best wishes, Clive Are there any English?? As I know this phrase is commonly used in the UK. So it will be better to ask some English about this. I hope that Clive allow us to use the phrase. Thank...http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/5/cnpjr/Post.htm#576098Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:576098Anonymous14http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/5/cnpjr/Post.htm#576098http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-576098.xmlReally? I have lived an worked in North America my whole life. And I have never seen 'Yours faithfully'. It's weird and seems more like an intimate ending. Of course my experience has been contained mostly to business and graduate school in Bio-chemistry. Maybe thats why. But now you have two data points from people saying they have not seen it used. I would maintain that there is a significant population of people that work professionally, that have not seen this. So now I will take myself out of that population... Yours faithfully :-) Doug PS - I am not weird, really!!http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/5/cnpjr/Post.htm#533166Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:533166Anonymous15http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/5/cnpjr/Post.htm#533166http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-533166.xmlI recently wrote a letter of explanation to a board of members who oversee the disbursement of financial aid to university students. Not knowing their names / gender / position / titles, I used the phrase, "To whom it may concern:". I double-checked with the English department before sending my statement and I was told that it was perfectly fine to use this phrase.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/5/cnpjr/Post.htm#529648Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:529648Yoong Liat16http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/5/cnpjr/Post.htm#529648http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-529648.xmlDoes this have something to do with that people like putting "longer" words at the end to draw attention. For example, when starting a speech, people say "Ladies and Gentlemen," where the world gentlemen is longer than the word ladies. While in "Dear Sir or Madam", Madam is longer than Sir. Just for fun. I think the reason for writing "Dear Sir/Madam" is that in the past, when we didn't know whether the Director, Manager, etc was a man or a woman, we wrote "Dear Sir'. Later it was felt that it was unfair to write 'Dear Sir' because the person in authority might be a woman. In older grammar books, the advice is to write 'Dear Sir'. Formerly, when we wrote...http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/5/cnpjr/Post.htm#528804Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:528804Osee17http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/5/cnpjr/Post.htm#528804http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-528804.xmlDoes this have something to do with that people like putting "longer" words at the end to draw attention. For example, when starting a speech, people say "Ladies and Gentlemen," where the world gentlemen is longer than the word ladies. While in "Dear Sir or Madam", Madam is longer than Sir. Just for fun.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/4/cnpjr/Post.htm#528798Thu, 21 May 2009 15:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:528798Clive18http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/4/cnpjr/Post.htm#528798http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-528798.xmlHi, It's just a convention, and not very meaningful at all. Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/4/cnpjr/Post.htm#528759Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:528759Osee19http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/4/cnpjr/Post.htm#528759http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-528759.xmlHi Clive, I usually start my letter by "Dear Madam or Sir." I have noticed many times that natives started letters by "Dear Sir or Madam." I do not understand this because I thougth it is against both the "lady first" thing and the fact letter M preceding letter S. Regards, Osee Hi Forbes, I'd be reluctant to just say to English learners that it's for writing a letter to someone whose identity you don't know. With a definition that simple, I'd prefer to say that you should write 'Dear Sir or Madam' . Best wishes, Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/4/cnpjr/Post.htm#500641Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:500641Yoong Liat20http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/4/cnpjr/Post.htm#500641http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-500641.xmlThis is really very simple: Use Dear Sir/Madam when you know (or can assume) the position of the person you are writing to but not their name or gender. Use To whom it may concern when you don't even know their position. If you use To whom it may concern end with Yours faithfully. Endi Hi Endi Who taught you what you posted? Which book, etc tells you that? In BrE, when we write Dear Sir / Madam , we write Yours faithfully above the signature.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/4/cnpjr/Post.htm#500634Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:500634RayH21http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/4/cnpjr/Post.htm#500634http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-500634.xmlHi I would like to know, we can use this phrase or not "to whom this may concern" instead of "to whom it may concern" if using it, that wrong or not? thank you in advance Honi No. Don't modify standard phases and terms. Everyone knows, and expects to see, the standard wording. Changing it just causes confusion (or worse).http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/4/cnpjr/Post.htm#500629Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:500629Yoong Liat22http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/4/cnpjr/Post.htm#500629http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-500629.xmlWhen using "to whom it may concern" in writing a letter are the first letters all capitalized? Only 'The' is capitalized. It should be Only 'To' is capitalized .http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/4/cnpjr/Post.htm#500255Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:500255Clive23http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/4/cnpjr/Post.htm#500255http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-500255.xmlHi guys, I'd like to mention a point I offered some time ago. 'To whom it may concern' is so rarely used that I don't remember the last time I ever used it. Perhaps half a dozen times in my entire life. Other people have also noted that in this thread that it is not often, even rarely, used, but I feel that readres may be overlooking this advice. There seems to be so much interest in this phrase that I am concerned that English learners are going to start large numbers of letters in a way that is totally inappropriate. Best wishes, Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/4/cnpjr/Post.htm#500250Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:500250Yoong Liat24http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/4/cnpjr/Post.htm#500250http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-500250.xmlWhen using "to whom it may concern" in writing a letter are the first letters all capitalized? Only 'The' is capitalized.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/4/cnpjr/Post.htm#500247Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:500247Yoong Liat25http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/4/cnpjr/Post.htm#500247http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-500247.xmlHi I would like to know, we can use this phrase or not " to whom this may concern " instead of "to whom it may concern" if using it, that wrong or not? Honi to whom this may concern (You have to use 'To whom it may concern'. Note no capitals needed except for 'To'.)http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/4/cnpjr/Post.htm#500239Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:500239Feebs1126http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/4/cnpjr/Post.htm#500239http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-500239.xmlTo whom it may concern is only applicable in situations where the writer is asked to provide some kind of reference or document which the subject will be able to use at any time. It is totally incorrect to use this as the start of a letter to a company. The question of how many people are likely to read the letter is immaterial.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/3/cnpjr/Post.htm#499940Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:499940Anonymous27http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/3/cnpjr/Post.htm#499940http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-499940.xmlI most certainly agree with this statement. In addition, if it is likely that multiple people will read the letter, and the letter is impersonal, I think that the phrase is perfectly legitimate. "Dear Sir or Madam" is just a bit too personal for certain letters. That said, situations in which this phrase must be used are undoubtedly rare. Still, in some cases, "To Whom It May Concern" is the best alternative. As for "Yours faithfully," I might have seen this closing used once in my lifetime. The phrase "Sincerely" is much more common, at least in the U.S. (Or at least in Massachusetts.)http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/3/cnpjr/Post.htm#442256Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:442256Grammar Geek28http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/3/cnpjr/Post.htm#442256http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-442256.xmlHello 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.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/3/cnpjr/Post.htm#442250Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:442250Anonymous29http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/3/cnpjr/Post.htm#442250http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-442250.xmlYou clearly don't read or write many letters. People in North America and the UK use 'Yours faithfully' when ending a letter that has been started with 'Dear Sir/Madame' - that's the rule!http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/3/cnpjr/Post.htm#438081Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:438081Clive30http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/3/cnpjr/Post.htm#438081http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-438081.xmlHi, 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, Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/3/cnpjr/Post.htm#438067Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:438067Anonymous31http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/3/cnpjr/Post.htm#438067http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-438067.xmlWhen using "to whom it may concern" in writing a letter are the first letters all capitalized?http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/3/cnpjr/Post.htm#424103Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:424103Anonymous32http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/3/cnpjr/Post.htm#424103http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-424103.xml"to whom this may concern" is not a typical greeting line. "to whom it may concern" is what is used in this case.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/3/cnpjr/Post.htm#419231Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:419231Jenda33http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/3/cnpjr/Post.htm#419231http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-419231.xmlA 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.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/3/cnpjr/Post.htm#419137Thu, 21 May 2009 15:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:419137Clive34http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/3/cnpjr/Post.htm#419137http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-419137.xmlHi, 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. Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/3/cnpjr/Post.htm#419130Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:419130Jenda35http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/3/cnpjr/Post.htm#419130http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-419130.xmlWhile 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.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/2/cnpjr/Post.htm#410868Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:410868Feebs1136http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/2/cnpjr/Post.htm#410868http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-410868.xmlClive wrote: Hi, I disagree. A few special cases were described earlier in which 'To whom it may concern' could be used. Other than those, my advice to English learners is to never use this phrase. I don't remember the last time that I used it myself. In addition, I never see letters here in N. America with 'Yours faithfully'. Best wishes, Clive The only time I have ever used it was in an open reference for an employee leaving without a specific job to go to. In this case, it is impossible to address the letter to anyone. It is best not used in most circumstances.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/2/cnpjr/Post.htm#410684Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:410684Clive37http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/2/cnpjr/Post.htm#410684http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-410684.xmlHi, However, if I may repeat my earlier comment, I think that most people would need to write such a beginning to a letter quite rarely. Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/2/cnpjr/Post.htm#410654Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:410654Anonymous38http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/2/cnpjr/Post.htm#410654http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-410654.xmlThis is the phrase used at the beginning of a letter when you do not know the person who should recieve the letter. We often use "Dear Sir or Madam" in this situation too, which is a bit more polite and personal. "To whom it may concern" is very impersonal and means the letter is addressed "to who ever may be interested" in the information in the letter. Is that clear?http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/2/cnpjr/Post.htm#404217Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:404217Forbes39http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/2/cnpjr/Post.htm#404217http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-404217.xmlAronika28 wrote: I would like to thank you for explanations on this phrase. Personally, I hate it. I work as an interpreter and I always have difficulties to deal with this phrase. Part of the problem is in the fact that I can hardly find anything similar in my language and greater part of the problem is in the fact that I work in the company where official working language is English but people who work in the company are rarely English native speakers and tend too much to use phrases they do not understand properly. Thus, I often come to the situations to either completely drop this phrase or change it as best fits the context. Lots of languages have phrases that can be translated literally, but have no equivalent. A...http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/2/cnpjr/Post.htm#404216Thu, 21 May 2009 15:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:404216Forbes40http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/2/cnpjr/Post.htm#404216http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-404216.xmlStrangely enough I used the phrase only recently. It was in a letter signed by a parent to allow their child to travel with me. In that case it is entirely correct because it is not known who is going to read the letter. I concede that the phrase is completely unnecessary, but then so is "Dear Sir". It is just a matter of form.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/2/cnpjr/Post.htm#403657Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:403657Clive41http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/2/cnpjr/Post.htm#403657http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-403657.xmlHi, I often come to the situations to either completely drop this phrase or change it as best fits the context. Your instincts are right. Good luck, Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/2/cnpjr/Post.htm#403652Thu, 21 May 2009 15:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:403652Aronika2842http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/2/cnpjr/Post.htm#403652http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-403652.xmlI would like to thank you for explanations on this phrase. Personally, I hate it. I work as an interpreter and I always have difficulties to deal with this phrase. Part of the problem is in the fact that I can hardly find anything similar in my language and greater part of the problem is in the fact that I work in the company where official working language is English but people who work in the company are rarely English native speakers and tend too much to use phrases they do not understand properly. Thus, I often come to the situations to either completely drop this phrase or change it as best fits the context.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/2/cnpjr/Post.htm#402625Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:402625Clive43http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/2/cnpjr/Post.htm#402625http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-402625.xmlHi Honi, Welcome to the Forum. I'd just like to repeat for you this note that I wrote in an earlier post in this thread. A few special cases were described earlier in which 'To whom it may concern' could be used. Other than those, my advice to English learners is to never use this phrase. I don't remember the last time that I used it myself. Best wishes, Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/2/cnpjr/Post.htm#402359Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:402359Forbes44http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/2/cnpjr/Post.htm#402359http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-402359.xmlHonie wrote: I would like to know, we can use this phrase or not "to whom this may concern" instead of "to whom it may concern" if using it, that wrong or not? I have never seen the phrase "to whom this may concern".http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/cnpjr/post.htm#401234Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:401234Honie45http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/cnpjr/post.htm#401234http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-401234.xmlHi I would like to know, we can use this phrase or not "to whom this may concern" instead of "to whom it may concern" if using it, that wrong or not? thank you in advance Honihttp://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/cnpjr/post.htm#296311Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:296311Clive46http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/cnpjr/post.htm#296311http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-296311.xmlHi, I disagree. A few special cases were described earlier in which 'To whom it may concern' could be used. Other than those, my advice to English learners is to never use this phrase. I don't remember the last time that I used it myself. In addition, I never see letters here in N. America with 'Yours faithfully'. Best wishes, Clivehttp://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/cnpjr/post.htm#296292Thu, 21 May 2009 15:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:296292Anonymous47http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/cnpjr/post.htm#296292http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-296292.xmlThis is really very simple: Use Dear Sir/Madam when you know (or can assume) the position of the person you are writing to but not their name or gender. Use To whom it may concern when you don't even know their position. If you use To whom it may concern end with Yours faithfully. Endihttp://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/cnpjr/post.htm#284430Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:284430Anonymous48http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/cnpjr/post.htm#284430http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-284430.xmlIt is normally used to introduce somebody to whoever requires certain credentials to be considered. Therefore, it means here Iam eventhough we haven't seen each other.http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/cnpjr/post.htm#235772Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:05:10 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:235772Forbes49http://www.englishforums.com/English/ToWhomItMayConcern/cnpjr/post.htm#235772http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments34-235772.xmlYou are quite right. You should use "Dear Sir or Madam" when writing to a specific person whose identity you do not know, for example the occupier of a particular property. You will use it in a letter you are likely to post. Dear Sir or Madam, We write to inform you that tree felling will be carried out in Acacia Avenue and Laurel Close on the 25th March. "To whom it may concern" should be used when you do not know into whose hands the letter will come. You will use it in a letter that you are likely to give to someone who will show it to someone else. To whom it may concern Freda Smith worked for us as a secretary for two years. She is an excellent typist and very reliable. We do not hesitate to recommend her.