The proper English thread

Discussion in 'Open Discussion' started by SamsonMiodek, Nov 24, 2015.

  1. SamsonMiodek

    SamsonMiodek - Lakers 6th Man -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    1,226
    Likes Received:
    3,229
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Family guy
    Location:
    Poland
    Offline
    We had a similar one on CL and I whought we could use one here as well, especially considering the fact that I need your advice :Magic2:.

    Can anybody please let me know what kind of salutation would be appropriate when addressing a group of 2 man and 1 women in a formal letter? I know all of them but our relationship is pure business. From what I have found out so far, it seems that "Dear Sirs and Madam" would be acceptable, but I don't like it - it's too official. Are there any Other options?
     
  2. Barnstable

    Barnstable Supreme Fuzzler of Lakersball.com Staff Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2014
    Messages:
    7,096
    Likes Received:
    17,835
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Offline
    Great idea for the thread.

    "To whom it may concern," is a greeting meant to cover anyone that may read your letter, but is usually used if you don't know specifically who will be reading it.

    "Greetings," or "Hello," would be acceptable if you wanted to make the letter very informal. I use "Hello," when I'm emailing someone in my company where I don't need to be too formal and just want a way to start the email.

    Off the top of my head "Dear Sirs and Madam," might be your best option if you know who will be reading it, and don't want to make it as informal as "Hello,"
     
  3. SamsonMiodek

    SamsonMiodek - Lakers 6th Man -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    1,226
    Likes Received:
    3,229
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Family guy
    Location:
    Poland
    Offline
    Thanks Barns! If Dear Sirs and Madam is the best option after all, I will go for it. I must admit though that, especially the "Madam" part, seems weird to me - I have known the concerned lady pretty well and it feels a little awkward/old fashioned to refer to her as Madam...
     
  4. pound4pound

    pound4pound - Lakers Starter -

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2014
    Messages:
    2,022
    Likes Received:
    4,836
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline
    or you could go urban and address them as 'Fam'
     
  5. John3:16

    John3:16 Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    Messages:
    6,590
    Likes Received:
    15,641
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    CEO - Big Baller Brand
    Offline
    Proper English ground rules:

    their
    there
    they're

    to
    two
    too

    Know the differences.
     
    Weezy likes this.
  6. Barnstable

    Barnstable Supreme Fuzzler of Lakersball.com Staff Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2014
    Messages:
    7,096
    Likes Received:
    17,835
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Offline
    It seems really formal, but it's not considered too formal because it's such a common way to start a letter.
     
    SamsonMiodek likes this.
  7. alam1108

    alam1108 - Lakers Legend -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    13,498
    Likes Received:
    37,006
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Laker Land
    Offline
    "Sup b****es."
    -
    Sirs and Madam is probably your best bet if you know for certain you are addressing those people. To whom it may concern works too, pretty cookie cutter but it works.

    Honestly I wouldn't overthink a greeting for a letter, it's the body that's most important.
     
    Kenzo and SamsonMiodek like this.
  8. SamsonMiodek

    SamsonMiodek - Lakers 6th Man -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    1,226
    Likes Received:
    3,229
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Family guy
    Location:
    Poland
    Offline
    Agreed, of course, but the body is already perfect :cool:. I know this might seem like a small issue, but I have been wondering about this for a long time now and never really found a satisfying answer on the net.
     
  9. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    Messages:
    17,869
    Likes Received:
    72,565
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Anaheim
    Offline
    Yes, this. This bothers me way more than it should, as I'm no genius and shouldn't be judging anyone, but sometimes a person loses me with getting these wrong (on a consistent basis, we all make these mistakes in the moment).
     
  10. Barnstable

    Barnstable Supreme Fuzzler of Lakersball.com Staff Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2014
    Messages:
    7,096
    Likes Received:
    17,835
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Offline
    I've gotten much better with it, but I still have a problem remembering these. I don't know if it's my dyslexia or what, but they don't always stick in my head
     
  11. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    Messages:
    17,869
    Likes Received:
    72,565
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Anaheim
    Offline
    Well we all have something. I struggle with proper grammar and punctuation, run-on sentences, stuff like that (at least in my own head, don't know if others notice). The one common incorrect word that bugs me the most though, is your instead of you're. It's probably because my sister uses the wrong one constantly even though I mess with her and point it out every time. I think the ones John listed bug me only because I have always tried to get those right, maybe for fear of looking dumb. I think I was probably made fun of for getting it wrong as a kid and it stuck with me, don't have a specific memory of it, because I think it happened multiple times.
     
  12. SamsonMiodek

    SamsonMiodek - Lakers 6th Man -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    1,226
    Likes Received:
    3,229
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Family guy
    Location:
    Poland
    Offline
    To be honest, I thought I had mastered those. I may be wrong though :dwightcrying:
     
  13. John3:16

    John3:16 Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    Messages:
    6,590
    Likes Received:
    15,641
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    CEO - Big Baller Brand
    Offline
    There = place
    They're = they are
    Their = all others

    Two = number
    Too = also
    To = all others

    They're going there with their friends
    I'm going to the two stores, too.
     
    Barnstable and Weezy like this.
  14. Barnstable

    Barnstable Supreme Fuzzler of Lakersball.com Staff Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2014
    Messages:
    7,096
    Likes Received:
    17,835
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Offline
    Show off
     
    John3:16 likes this.
  15. alam1108

    alam1108 - Lakers Legend -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    13,498
    Likes Received:
    37,006
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Laker Land
    Offline
    Now how do you use worse and worst, never figured it out.
     
  16. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    Messages:
    17,869
    Likes Received:
    72,565
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Anaheim
    Offline
    Worst is worse than worse. Can't be worse than worst. "That's worse". "That's the worst".

    But then other words before and after those words matter and change meanings. "That's even worse", "I've never seen worse", "Could be worse", "it's not the worst thing ever". I'm no English expert, but I think I cover that pretty well, and funnily. I could have done a worse job, wasn't the worst example.
     
  17. alam1108

    alam1108 - Lakers Legend -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    13,498
    Likes Received:
    37,006
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Laker Land
    Offline
    I am confused... Now I know how Byron feels on the sideline.
     
  18. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    Messages:
    17,869
    Likes Received:
    72,565
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Anaheim
    Offline
    Hmm, I guess I did a worse job explaining that than I thought. Still, I don't think it was the worst possible explanation.
     
  19. alam1108

    alam1108 - Lakers Legend -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    13,498
    Likes Received:
    37,006
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Laker Land
    Offline
    It makes more sense once I read it slowly.
     
    Barnstable likes this.
  20. John3:16

    John3:16 Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    Messages:
    6,590
    Likes Received:
    15,641
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    CEO - Big Baller Brand
    Offline
    Other words that are commonly used incorrectly:

    Than = comparing 2 things
    Then = all others
    Then it's pretty obvious the Lakers are better than the C Bags.

    Principal = school administrator.
    Principle = a standard or moral.
    Best way to remember this is, your Principal is your "pal".

    English: 99% of the time, it's a capital E.
    Colombia is a country. Columbia is a city in South Carolina.
     
    Weezy likes this.

Share This Page