1. dillseed

    dillseed Active Member

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    Direct Address/Salutation

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by dillseed, May 8, 2014.

    Which is technically correct punctuation atop an informal letter (or doesn't it matter)?

    Hi, Louis,

    I am writing to inform you . . .

    (I'm told that two commas [as shown above] is the correct way to go here—just confirming.)
    ---------------
    Hi, Louis.

    I am writing to inform you . . .
    ---------------
    Hi Louis,

    I am writing to inform you . . .

    (I see this version a lot, but I think a comma should technically follow "Hi.")
    ---------------
    Hi, Louis—

    I am writing to inform you . . .
    ---------------
    Hi, Louis:

    I am writing to inform you . . .
    (Can we use a colon after the name when we use "Hi" or "Hello" before the name?)
    ---------------

    Thank you. :)
     
  2. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    the 2 commas version is the only 'correct' way... but the comma/em dash is fine for informal correspondence...

    that said, the opening sentence is far from informal!... o_O
     

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