Dear folks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Dear folks" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a friendly and informal greeting in letters or messages addressed to a group of people. Example: "Dear folks, I hope this message finds you well and in good spirits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

She received a letter saying "Dear Folks, I had to wright this so I could get into breakfast tomorrow".

The New Yorker

dear folks.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"Truly, folks," she said.

The New Yorker

Sorry, folks.

The New York Times - Sports

Sorry, folks, hopes are dashed.

The New York Times

Sorry, folks: Phil has spoken.

Forbes

Sorry folks, my mistake".

BBC

As for San Diego … Sorry folks.

Forbes

Update: Sorry, folks.

TechCrunch

Young folks like to customize stuff.

Forbes

Sorry folks.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Dear folks" in informal letters or emails to a group of people you know well, such as family members or close friends, to create a warm and friendly tone.

Common error

Avoid using "Dear folks" in professional communications or formal letters, as it can come across as too casual or unprofessional. Instead, opt for more formal greetings like "Dear colleagues" or "Dear Sir/Madam".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Dear folks" serves as a greeting or salutation, typically used at the beginning of a written message like a letter or email. As Ludwig AI explains, it sets a friendly and informal tone when addressing a group of people.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Dear folks" is an informal greeting used to address a group of people, primarily in personal correspondence. While grammatically correct, it's important to reserve its use for contexts where a casual and friendly tone is appropriate, such as communication with family or close friends. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase works well in informal settings but should be avoided in more formal or professional communication. Consider alternatives like "Hello everyone" or "Dear all" for broader applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hello everyone

A general greeting suitable for a wide audience.

Hi everyone

An informal alternative to "Hello everyone".

Dear all

A slightly more formal greeting than "Dear folks".

Dear friends

Suitable when addressing a group of friends.

Dear family

Used when addressing family members.

Greetings

A formal and concise greeting.

Dear team

Appropriate when addressing a work team.

Hey y'all

An informal, regional greeting.

Good day

A neutral and polite greeting.

To whom it may concern

A very formal greeting when the recipient is unknown.

FAQs

How can I use "Dear folks" in a sentence?

"Dear folks" is typically used as a greeting at the beginning of a letter or email. For example: "Dear folks, I hope this email finds you well."

What are some alternatives to "Dear folks"?

Alternatives include "hello everyone", "hi everyone", or "dear all", depending on the context and your relationship with the recipients.

Is "Dear folks" appropriate for professional emails?

Generally, no. "Dear folks" is considered informal. In professional settings, it's better to use greetings like "Dear colleagues" or "Dear team".

What's the level of formality of "Dear folks"?

"Dear folks" is considered an informal greeting, suitable for close friends and family. For more formal situations, use alternatives like "to whom it may concern" or "dear sir or madam".