YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CONSULT THIS BLOG FOR WRITING AND SPEAKING TIPS.
There is no problem with using “Hello” or “Hi” in writing your business email. Business writing is about writing as you would speak. Effective business writing is about building rapport. Hello and Hi are natural and friendly words to greet your readers in a manner that is less formal than the Dear _____, salutation you use for traditional letters. If the circumstances and the audience are appropriate, go ahead and use them.
Of course, this greeting is best used for readers you can call by their first names. Drop the formal titles of Mr., Mrs., and Ms.
The problem we normally encounter with using such greetings is the way we punctuate them.
Some people write it this way:
Hi Dennis,
They think that since this is as a substitute for Dear ___, we should follow the punctuation. Insert loud and irritating buzzer sound here to indicate it’s wrong.
The proper way to punctuate this salutation is this:
Hi, Dennis.
This follows the punctuation rule of enclosing in commas the name of the person you’re writing to. For example:
Yes, Sammy, we will meet on Saturday.
No, Carol.
So, my dear readers, hello and goodbye for now. I hope to be back here soon.
Labels: punctuation violations
Posts
That was really hard. I really wanted to put comma in. When we are speaking, we can say, "Hi Bob." Then there is a long pause, where they can say something. Or we can say, "Hi Bob, have you finished the report." There is just a short pause. So why can't we start with "Hi Bob, " on an e-mail.
Dani
The Literary Gift Company
I am a first-time reader of your blog.
As a grammar "pulis," you had committed something ungrammatical in your latest entry:
"Hopefully I would be back here soon."
Your use of the word "hopefully" is not warranted, as Strunk and White, and other "grammar police" would admonish anyone who dared use that vague word.
Even your use of the word "would" is not with rhyme nor reason, as "hope" is associated with "will."
The sentence should have been:
"I hope I will be back here soon."
I used to be one those who write "Hello Boss," in an email.
You are right; that's wrong.
In your reply to Ruby Isabella, you wrote "The reason...is because". That construction, I think, is not grammatical, because BECAUSE is a conjunction.
"The reason...is that..." is better.
Keep posting. Arrest those grammar violators! :) I also have a grammar blog. I'm not a pulis, though. I'm a detective.
Wow! I like your readers here. They know their English.
I simply know my name.
Keep on sharing your expertise. I am learning a lot.
I would like to ask when to use Hi and when only recipient's name.
e.g.
My email
Hi,Boss.
I think this task should be done this way (and all other stuff.)
Regards,
XYZ.
Boss's reply
XYZ,
I think your are right,please go ahead and (Boss asked some other queries which I(XYZ) have to reply in this mail chain only)
Regards,
BOss.
My question is should I start my reply with Hi,Boss. or only Boss's name as he did while replying my mail.
Very Useful information Thank you !!
#TWB is best technical training institute in india. They provide technical documentation and writing services in a globe. TWB_ makes your technology stand out. TWB_ is the technical and business writing for technology brands, and we do it better than any other agency for one simple reason – we are the only ones we know who understand Creative + Marketing + Technology. #TWB #Technical #Documentation and #Writing #Services. TWB_ technical and business writing | Technical documentation training in India