Editor's Corner

Hello, my fellow language lovers!

Today we’re going to talk about greetings and salutations in email and other places. Yes, we’ve discussed them before, but of all the requests I received recently, this was the topic asked about most.

Let’s look at the punctuation. According the Chicago Manual of Style:

In correspondence, a comma typically follows the greeting, though a colon may be used instead (especially in formal correspondence).

• Dear Kara, . . .
• Hello, Kara, . . .
• To Ms. Diedre Star:
• Dear Kara:

If the greeting itself consists of a direct address, two marks of punctuation are needed (i.e., the comma in the direct address and the colon or comma following the greeting). [KC – From Grammar Girl, you can also use a period after the person’s name if you are ending the sentence there, or an exclamation point if you are really excited.]

• Greetings, Board Members:
• Hello, Margo, I’ll see you soon!

• Good morning, Batman, I just wanted you to know that I told Alfred he could have the day off.
• Hi, Bob.
• Hello, everybody!

The first mark is often left out in casual correspondence.

• Hi Todd,
• Hello Marguerite,

I hope I’ve answered your questions. Next up: signing off when you send an email or business correspondence.

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory

Symitar Documentation Services