"Dear Sir (or Madam)" when gender unknown?

Question

When writing a formal letter addressed to someone whose gender is unknown, how important is it to use "Dear Sir or Madam", instead of "Dear Sir"?

I was taught that "Dear Sir" is an acceptable gender-neutral salutation but times may have changed, is this right or wrong?

Dear Sir isn't correct if you do not know someone's gender. Also there's good advice here: http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/43608/what-is-the-correct-way-to-greet-a-specific-person-when-only-their-business-titl — dcaswell, Sep 05 '13 at 00:51
This question probably belongs on English Language Learners because it is about communication in everyday English, and is not about the academic study of English Language. — Matt, Sep 05 '13 at 05:24
Related: “Dear Sir or Madam” versus “To whom it may concern”, How to address letter to a company, How should I begin and end an email to an institution, Usage of 'Dear All', Official e-mail, and many more (Search for "Dear Sir"). — TrevorD, Sep 05 '13 at 11:31
Thanks for the links to related questions, but my specific question was whether "Dear Sir" was an acceptable gender-neutral formal salutation. I don't see that specific question being addressed in the related questions. — congusbongus, Sep 05 '13 at 12:28
From a common sense standpoint, I can say that if I received a letter addressed "Dear Sir", as a woman, I'd probably not think very highly of the sender. Why risk showing an unknown recipient that you "assume" the recipient of your letter should be a man? That's not really very PC in this day and age. (FWIW) — Kristina Lopez, Sep 06 '13 at 12:38

score 7 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 05 '13 at 00:54

7

When the addressee is in the same field as the writer, you can use the address Dear Colleague.

answered Sep 05 '13 at 00:54

bib

72,782

I like that; hadn't thought of it before. – Pieter Geerkens Sep 05 '13 at 02:27
3

Don't you find that it always rains when you try to write a letter in a field? – Edwin Ashworth Sep 05 '13 at 07:17
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@EdwinAshworth No, because I am not a man out standing in his field. – bib Sep 05 '13 at 12:23

score 7 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 05 '13 at 22:31

7

Dear Sir may have been an acceptable gender-neutral salutation some time ago, but I would suggest 'To whom it may concern,' as a more modern and suitable alternative :)

answered Sep 05 '13 at 22:31

user2742630

86

score 4 · Answer 3 · answered Sep 05 '13 at 20:57

4

The proper way to begin a formal letter to someone whose gender is unknown is with the "Dear Sir/Madam," phrase while At the end the letter use the phrase "Yours faithfully," plus your full name, like the template that follows:

Dear Sir/Madam,

....

Yours faithfully, Your full name

answered Sep 05 '13 at 20:57

Chris Mylonas

41

3

Might offend someone going through a sex change. – RyeɃreḁd Sep 05 '13 at 21:19

"Dear Sir (or Madam)" when gender unknown?

3 Answers3

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