Use a Comma in Salutations

Some languages use exclamation marks ("!") in salutations (greetings used in letters, including e-mail) where English uses a comma (","). Your correspondence might come off as too informal and foreign if you use exclamation marks instead of commas. The examples below are meant to serve as a guide.

In English, use a comma in salutations. For example:

• Dear Sirs, (UK English)
• Dear Customer,
• Dear Reader,

In especially serious situations, a colon might be used instead:

• Mr. Smith:
• Customers:
• To Whom it May Concern:

In informal messages, younger people might use an exclamation point:

• Hey Peter!
• Hi Guys!
• Dude!

It is a mistake to use the wrong punctuation in correspondence:

• Dear Mr. Smith!
• Dear Sirs!
• Hey Peter:

In case of doubt, use a comma.