How to address people

I was in a position the other day where I thought I would need to send to send a proper bad news letter to two people and I was wondering how I was going to address them. It's a father and son so of course they have the same last name; Bowden.

Any suggestions on grammar mainly, the content is not a problem.

Thanks

 

Is it being sent from father to son? How close are they?

 

I believe the best way is to start with first and last names together, and then only state the initials. For example, if you are saying that Jack Bodwen is the father and Albert is the son, then you may begin with Mr. Jack Bodwen and Mr. Albert Bodwen, but continue with the pair Mr. J. Bodwen and Mr. A. Bodwen. If the intials are same, then add the second letter i.e. Mr. Ja. Bodwen and Mr. Ju. Bodwen (Jack and Juceaser), and if the first names are same then you really need to deny writing this letter lol!
I'm not sure if this is the best way, because I'm not personally entangled with the English scheme of letter writing.

Banzai, I think he's the sender while the father and son are the recipients. I *think*.

 

If it is to the father and son, then you would address to the senior most, working your way down the list, oldest to youngest.

'Dear Mr J Burke (the father) and Mr E Burke (son)' would be the approved form, minus the brackets etc.

 

Thanks for the help, I'll have to remember that next time.

 

the most usual/accepted way is, 'Messers Bowden' or whatever, as that's the plural of 'mister' [don't blame me!... english is weird!!]...

 

Messers is the correct form in this situation. Yes, English is quite a complicated language. I'm so glad I learned it as my first language. I find that English is the most difficult language to learn, as we have the most quirks in our language. However, that is why I love the language. I love all the bizzare grammar that our language has to offer. (Plus, it's really easy to tell who's literate and who is not. )

 

I don't know, supposedly us West Aussie's have a drawl, much like the deep south, just the aussie version.

I was taught, mind you this is about five years ago, if you addressed a letter to a family, you acknowldged the senior before th junior.

Guess that was then.

 

hey, i just noticed we got our genders back... but mine is missing... maybe just 'cause i haven't posted since they were restored?... will see when i post this... if not, i'll have to go check my profile preferences, i guess...

sure, 'nuff!... went and added the 'preference' bit and there it is, my little pink cross with a halo!

 

Oh is THAT what that is! And there I thought it was an Ankh

 

and what did you think yours was?... the spinner for a board game? ;-)

 

Of course not! It signifies that I live in the Northeast, of course!

 

good one, cog!