dear colleagues

USAGE SUMMARY

"dear colleagues" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a salutation at the beginning of a formal letter or email. For example: "Dear Colleagues, Thank you for your hard work on the project..."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Dear colleagues, the stock markets are down.

The Guardian - Business

(Dear Colleagues: Never mind, we take it back).

The New Yorker

"Dear colleagues, we have been working for 2 1/2 hours now," Putin said.

The Washington Post

In almost poetic tones, Le Pen exclaimed: "Dear colleagues, why are you getting het up?

The Guardian

Our sympathies also go out to the families of our dear colleagues".

The Guardian

Dear Colleagues: Today, I'm writing to you with a heavy heart.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Dear Colleagues, I am writing to give all of you news and business colleagues alike some news about a leadership transition in the newsroom of The Times.

Huffington Post

Here is the letter Mr. Griffin sent to his employees on Friday: Dear Colleagues, I am pleased to report that as of January 17 , 2012 Citadel's Kensington and Wellington funds crossed their respective high water marks.

The New York Times

Dear Colleagues, The deepening recession and the structural changes confronting our industry continue to present us with difficult challenges.

Forbes

It's up to you whether you want to preface your message with a salutation like "Dear Ms. Winters," or "Dear Colleagues".

WikiHow

Dear Colleagues, I'm looking for a copy of the above.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow the salutation with a comma and begin the body of your message on the next line.

Common error

Avoid using overly casual greetings like "Hey guys" when addressing professional colleagues in a formal setting. Stick to "Dear Colleagues" or similar formal salutations to maintain a respectful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dear colleagues" functions as a salutation, typically used to open a formal communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a widely accepted way to address a group of professional peers or associates, setting a respectful and professional tone. It is often followed by a comma and the beginning of the message.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dear colleagues" is a highly prevalent and grammatically sound salutation, widely used to address a group of professionals across various contexts. According to Ludwig AI, this salutation is correct and appropriate for formal communication. It is most frequently observed in news, business, and scientific domains, indicating its professional and respectful tone. When addressing colleagues, this standard opening is a great way to start. While alternatives like "Hello Team" exist for less formal settings, "dear colleagues" remains a reliable choice for maintaining professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Dear team members

More specific, directing to the team of people involved.

Esteemed colleagues

More formal and respectful.

Dear associates

Similar in formality, but used in a business context.

Greetings everyone

Slightly more general; can be used in broader contexts.

Dear partners

Specific to partnerships or collaborative relationships.

Hello team

Less formal; suitable for internal communications within a team.

Good morning/afternoon

Time-specific and can be combined with a more personal address.

Hi folks

Very informal, best suited for casual workplace environments.

Attention all

Direct and functional, lacking personal touch.

To whom it may concern

Much more formal and impersonal; used when the recipient is unknown.

FAQs

How can I use "dear colleagues" in an email?

Start your email with "Dear Colleagues,", followed by a comma. Then, begin your message on the next line. For example, "Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to inform you about..."

Are there alternatives to using "dear colleagues"?

Yes, you can use alternatives depending on the context and relationship with your colleagues. Some options include "Hello Team" for a less formal setting or "Esteemed Colleagues" for a more formal tone.

Is it appropriate to use "dear colleagues" in academic writing?

While "dear colleagues" is more common in professional communications, it can be used in academic contexts, especially when addressing a group of peers or collaborators. However, avoid using it in formal papers.

Can I use "dear colleagues" in a presentation?

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to start a presentation by saying "Dear colleagues,". This is a professional way to acknowledge your audience at the beginning of your talk.