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Salutation

sowmyag

New Member
india- English
Hi -

I would like to know for official email, is it ok to use Hi (Last name ) for salutation ?

Is it wrong ?

Thanks
Sowmya
No, I can't imagine using "Hi" as a salutation in an official communication.

Welcome to the forum, by the way!
Last edited:
A surname would certainly sound strange after "hi". But I see no problem with using a first name, even if you have never met the person. In fact I encounter this quite a lot, for example in answers from helpdesks, so I'd say it's the way usage is developing.
Hi All,

Thanks for the reply..

Its strange but not wrong english .. correct??

Pauline - So you have seen this type of salutation before, that's at least comfort to know.

I sent a mail with Hi (lastname ), one of my colleagues came back saying its wrong,so thought of getting expert opinions before repeating this.

Thanks
Sowmya


A surname would certainly sound strange after "hi". But I see no problem with using a first name, even if you have never met the person. In fact I encounter this quite a lot, for example in answers from helpdesks, so I'd say it's the way usage is developing.
If it's so strange to Pauline and me, then you should assume it's wrong English. Don't use it.

(If e-mails had existed in the 1960s at my school, when all boys called each other by their surname, then we might have written it - I can't thing who would do that today.)
ok.. Thank you..

If it's so strange to Pauline and me, then you should assume it's wrong English. Don't use it.

(If e-mails had existed in the 1960s at my school, when all boys called each other by their surname, then we might have written it - I can't thing who would do that today.)
Sowmyag,

Sorry to hijack your thread, but sometimes I don't know which is the person's first name and which is their surname. I have colleagues all over the world, including many in India, Japan and other Asian countries. Often the only solution is to say "hi" or "hello", followed by the person's full name as they write it themselves. Once contact is established, I may feel bold enough to ask "By the way, what do you like to be called?"

I know that doesn't exactly answer your question but it may be useful on occasion.
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