Miss, Mrs., Ms., Madam, Mr. – How do I use them correctly?
Hi everyone! I get a lot of questions from my students on how to use: Miss, Mrs, Ms, Madam and Mr correctly. This is a topic many students struggle with, so I’ve created this blog post and accompanying video just for you. Let’s get started!
Miss, Mrs., Ms., Madam, Mr.
Miss, Ms., Mrs., Madam, Mr., are all called ‘titles’. We use these titles to be respectful when we are speaking about a man or woman.
The Basics
Miss Berry – We use ‘Miss’ when addressing young unmarried women.
Mrs. Berry – We use ‘Mrs.’ when addressing a married woman.
Ms. Berry – We use ‘Ms.’ when addressing a woman whose marital status is unknown or unimportant.
Madam – We use ‘Madam’ when addressing a woman in an exceptionally formal situation. (Not common nowadays)
Sir – We use ‘Sir’ when addressing a man in a formal situation.
Mr. Berry – We use ‘Mr.’ when addressing a man whose marital status is unknown or unimportant.
Let’s take a look at these titles in a bit more detail.
Miss is used to address a young unmarried woman.
Most often we use Miss + surname.
My son’s teacher, Miss Davey, is absolutely fantastic.
In many written and official contexts, Miss + full name is used.
On the news: Miss Sandra Callingham won first place in the local arts competition.
School children often call their female teacher’s Miss without a name.
Excuse me Miss. Can you please help me?
Mrs. is used to address a married woman.
Most often we use Mrs. + surname.
Mrs. Black lives next door with her husband and two children.
In many written and official contexts, Mrs. + full name is used.
On the news: Mrs. Leona Barret will be representing her local charity in tomorrow’s fundraiser.
WELL or GOOD? What’s the difference?
Ms. is used to address a woman whose marital status is unknown or unimportant.
Are you married? Is the woman you are speaking to married? Is it important that people know this?
If you are not interested in the marital status being known, simply use Ms. + surname.
Please speak to Ms. Fryman at the reception desk.
In many written and official contexts, Ms. + full name is used.
Dear Ms. Sarah Kelly,
This letter is a reminder of your appointment at Bristol’s Royal Infirmary on the 15th of August…..
Madam is used to address women in formal situations.
Madam isn’t normally used with a name.
(In the USA, ‘Madam’ is highly formal and isn’t used often. The American equivalent is the shortened ma’am which you can hear day-to-day.)
In a hotel: May I carry your luggage for you ma’am?
Sir is used to address a man in formal situations.
Sir isn’t normally used with a name.
In a restaurant: May I take your coat sir?
Dear Sir or Madam, is a formal way to begin a letter when you are unsure if the person you are writing is a man or a woman.
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am very interested in the job position advertised on your website….
Sir is a title for someone who has been given a knighthood by the British king or queen.
- Sir Elton John.
- Sir Daniel Day-Lewis
Dame is the equivalent for a woman.
- Dame Judi Dench
- Dame Helen Mirren
Mr. is used to address a man whose marital status is unknown or unimportant.
We normally use Mr. + surname.
Here are your keys Mr. Innis. Your room is on the 3rd floor, number 302.
In many written and official contexts, Mr. + full name is used.
Mr. Gary Von was present at the crime scene and is the key witness in this crime.
