How do I address a woman if I don’t know whether or not she’s married?

Question

Do I say Dear Miss- Or what? Please help. Need for formal letter.

Answer 1

Miss - Not Married
Mrs - Married
Ms - Unsure/Divorced/does not want you to know.

Ms - Pronounced 'Mz'

Answer 2

Dear Miss Imnotsureifyouaremarried

Answer 3

Ms or Ms. (US usage) (pronounced /məz/ or /mɪz/) is a title used with the last name or full name of a woman. Unlike the more traditional titles Miss and Mrs, it does not bear any reference to the woman's marital status, as Mr does not for a man.

Although it is usually believed to be a creation of modern feminism, Ms was sporadically used as an abbreviation for the title "Mistress" (just like Mrs) as early as the 1700s, and the pronunciation mizz for Mrs was colloquial in the American South and other areas. Indeed "Mistress" originally did not bear reference to marital status either, until the title separated into the diminutive "Miss" and abbreviation "Mrs" in the 17th Century.

The use of Ms as a title was conceived by Sheila Michaels in 1961, upon seeing what might be a typographical error on a copy of News & Letters.

Answer 4

Our church didn't decide any such thing. The pope can be married, as can many priests. While only cardinals have been made pope for many years, the pope can actually be any male Catholic, even married ones, and there have been several in Church history. If someone who is not the rank of bishop gets elected pope, however, then they are first ordained a bishop before officially becoming pope. Priests can also marry. There are 24 rites of the Catholic Church, and only one of them (the Latin/Roman rite) has the discipline of celibacy. It is, however, by far the most popular rite, and so many don't actually know about the existence of other rites. If a married man wants to be a priest, they may join any one of the other rites instead. They are all equally valid. Also let me point out that the only indication we have that Peter had a wife was mention of his mother-in-law. This does indicate that he did have a wife, but she may have been deceased by the time Jesus came along for all we know.

Answer 5

First, Try to know from her influences whether She is married or not. By this this you may come to know few more things about her and you can give more personalized touch in your letter to her. If you don't have time then use 'Ms.'.

All the best..
Ali.

Answer 6

You could say "Ms (name) or would you prefer Miss?" These days in Spanish one is supposed to say Señorita to all females. I still mess up and say Señoria to older women on rare occasions I attempt to say something in Spanish. Some clearly prefer Señorita, a term once reserved for young or at least unmarried females.

Ms as others say is usually appropriate for all women, unless they indicate a preference for Miss or Mrs.
Ms. (Mistress) originally was used like "Master" to indicated a young or unmarried male. In my youth, my Uncle and others would address my mail "Master Charles..." If I had the same first name as my father, for example, it would indicate that it was for me, the younger of the two.
I hope this gives a bit more clarity as to the historical aspects.
--Charles, That Cheeky Lad

Answer 7

Hmmm... if you do not know if the lady you are going to address is married or not... address her as M/s...(Mizz)... coz that would be the preferred title by any lady who is talkin to an unknown person.....

I would suggest try to get to know the lady whom you are addressing a formal letter is married or not... I did that...I called the organization i was going to apply the job for and asked the receptionist... And she told me the answer...

That benefits in two ways:-

1. it shows your openness to learn.
2. It shows your concern towards giving respect to ladies..


Way to go buddy!!!!

Try and do that... May luck favour you...

Best of luck... bye

Answer 8

I'm disappointed to learn that Ms. is the proper one. I've been feeling so good each time someone addresses my old self as 'Miss' when they don't know me. Darn.

Answer 9

Dear Ms. Jones:

or if the person is a doctor or has a Ph.D.:
Dear Dr. Jones:

Answer 10

Like all the others have said, Ms.

The refers to both Mrs and Miss.