Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Cherrie]

Dear Teachers,
I am reading a book about business writing. It says that there is no comma after the salutation and closing phrases in business letters and faxes. But as I remember, my English teachers in junior high school always put emphasis on the �comma�, I mean, the comma is definitely necessary in writing letters. So, I am really curious about this! I am confused!
I do not know which usage is more polite and appropriate.
So, my question is: do I have to add commas after the salutation and closing phrases when writing letters, e-mail, etc.

Could you please answer for me?
Thank you in advance for your help!

Sincerely yours,
Cherrie

[Philo Kevetch]

Hello Cherrie -

There are a variety of acceptable 'business' writing styles/conventions.

In most cases....omitting the comma after salutations and closings is acceptable.

In others, the salutation is followed by a colon and the closing is followed by a comma.

Philo

[myprofe]

When I get questions like this from my company class students I tell them to check the correspondence they receive to see what is most commonly used.

Nevertheless, if you visit: http://writing.lifetips.com/cat/56541/salutations/ you will find the following advice:

Business Letter Salutation
Technically, in a formal business letter, the greeting or salutation should be followed by a colon. Therefore, "Dear Mrs. Brown:" is the correct option. However, you will find some businesses straying from this formal version and beginning to use the comma after the salutation.
_________________
I'm never going to learn if you don't correct my mistakes!

[Cherrie]

Thank you so much for your answers and advice.
I really benefited a lot.
It� s great to know �colon� can be another choice!
So, the conclusion is, I do not really have to stick to what I�ve learned before. Instead, I can pay more attention to see what is most commonly used.

Thank you all again!!!

Sincerely yours,
Cherrie

[CP]

As a lawyer, I send and receive business letters every day. My letters and nearly all letters I receive have a colon after the salutation and a comma after the closing. Once in a while, a business letter will have a comma instead of a colon after the salutation. Most casual letters have a comma after the salutation.

I can't remember ever seeing a letter that lacked any punctuation after either the salutation or closing.

Dear Mr. Smith:

[Body.]

Yours truly,

CP
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[Cherrie]

Dear CP and all:
I really appreciate your help! : )
Thank you for telling me the most authentic way of writing letters!

Yours sincerely,

Cherrie.