Model Business Letters, Emails and Other Business Documents, 7th Edition

Appendix 1

Spoken and written forms of address

This section provides the correct forms of address for many officials, diplomats, religious leaders, royalty and the British peerage. The chart gives the appropriate form or forms to be used in addressing letters, in salutations, in direct conversation and in more formal introductions.

In diplomatic and other public circles, ‘Sir’ is generally considered an acceptable alternative to the formal address in both written and spoken greetings; this does not apply to religious or titled persons. The use of ‘Madam’ or ‘Ma’am’ for a female is less customary but still acceptable, especially for high officeholders (‘Madam Governor’). This rule also holds for high officials of foreign countries.