Dear Mr.

Meaning

This is a formal salutation used at the beginning of a business letter or email. It must be followed by the man's last name (family name), not his first name. It is polite and respectful, making it perfect for writing to clients, managers, or people you do not know well.

Examples

• Dear Mr. Smith, thank you for your email yesterday.

  Dear Mr. Smith, thank you for your email yesterday.

• Dear Mr. Davis, I am writing to confirm our meeting on Tuesday.

  Dear Mr. Davis, I am writing to confirm our meeting on Tuesday.

• Please start the letter with 'Dear Mr. Jones' to keep it professional.

  Please start the letter with 'Dear Mr. Jones' to keep it professional.

• Dear Mr. Brown, please find the attached invoice for this month.

  Dear Mr. Brown, please find the attached invoice for this month.

• I always write 'Dear Mr. Wilson' when emailing the department head.

  I always write 'Dear Mr. Wilson' when emailing the department head.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Dear Mr. John,

  ✓ Dear Mr. Smith, (or Dear John,)

  The title 'Mr.' must be followed by the person's last name (surname), never just their first name.

• ✗ Dear mr. Smith,

  ✓ Dear Mr. Smith,

  Both 'Dear' and 'Mr.' must be capitalized because they are part of a formal title and salutation.

Related Expressions

Practice

• ___ Green, thank you for sending the contract.

  💡 Use this formal greeting for a male client named Robert Green.

  Show answer

  Dear Mr.

• Always write '___ Johnson' at the start of the email, not just 'Dear Johnson'.

  💡 A formal title for a man before his last name.

  Show answer

  Dear Mr.