Addressing People

Names and titles are used both when talking about people and when talking to people.

TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE

When we talk about people we can address them in four ways. Each of them is related to a specific kind of situation:

first name

We use first name mostly in informal conversation with relatives, friends or children.

• Josh really gets on my nerves.

first name + surname

We use full name in neutral situation – neither particularly formal nor particularly informal.

• I work together with Lucy Sinclair.

title + surname

We use title + surname in formal situations.

• Can I speak to Mr Smith?

surname only
We use just the surname to talk about famouse people – politicians, sportsmen, writers, etc.

• I like Hemingway. I’ve read all his books.

TALKING TO PEOPLE

When we talk to people we generally name them in one of two ways depending on the kind of situation.

first name
We use surnames in informal situations when talking to family members, friends and children.

• Hello, Tom. I haven’t seen you for ages.

We don’t usually use both the first name and the surname of a person that we are talking to.

• Hello, Tom Lewis. I haven’t seen you for ages.

title + surname

We use title in connection with surname in formal situations and when we want to be polite and respectful.

• Good morning, Miss Sandres.

title only

in Britain
Sir and madam are used in Britain mostly by people in service occupations – shop assistants, receptionists, chambermaids, etc.

• How can I help you sir?

in USA

In American English, sir and madam are less formal than in British English, and are quite often used.

Addressing men

• When we address men with their surname we use:
  Mr
  Full form is Mister. Mr in not normally written in full.

• When we address men without their surname we use:
  Sir

Addressing women

Addressing women depends on their family status.

• Addressing married woman:
  Mrs

• Addressing single woman
  Ms

We never use full form for Mrs and Ms.

• If we don’t know the marital status of the particular woman, we may just ask or to use the Ms. title:
  Miss
  Miss is used only in full form.