dear colonel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dear colonel" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a salutation in formal letters or correspondence addressed to a person holding the rank of colonel. Example: "Dear Colonel Smith, I hope this letter finds you well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

cc: Lieutenant Patrick G. Aigner Prince William County Police Department Dear Colonel Choike: I was disappointed with the response of Colonel Johnson yesterday.

Huffington Post

One foreign officer with service in the Army of Prussia commented to Henry Laurens in reference to Maxwell, "Your soldiers are very good mans, so good as any brave mans in the world, but your officers my dear colonel, your officers... ...... General Cornwallis occupied the house of Thomas Cooch, and Howe's forces remained at Iron Hill for five days.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Dear, dear, dear.

Independent

"What did you eat?" "Thank you, my dear son," Colonel Yang said.

The New York Times

Elvis also became famous too soon, was exploited by Colonel Parker and never got over losing his dear mother.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Oh, dear, dear, dear".

The New Yorker

(Colonel Salcedo).

The New York Times

Colonel North?

The New Yorker

Dear dear Mysty.

The New Yorker

Dear oh dear Roger Moore.

Independent

OH DEAR, Oh dear.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dear colonel" as a formal salutation in letters or emails when addressing a colonel you know or have a working relationship with. Follow it with the colonel's last name for added formality: "Dear Colonel Smith,"

Common error

Avoid using "dear colonel" in situations that require strict formality, such as official military reports or when addressing a colonel you do not know. In such cases, a more neutral salutation like "Colonel" or "Colonel [Last Name]" is preferable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dear colonel" serves as a salutation in formal correspondence. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is a proper and acceptable way to begin a letter or email when addressing someone holding the rank of colonel.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dear colonel" functions as a formal salutation, primarily used in written correspondence to address a colonel with respect and a degree of familiarity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, although its usage is relatively rare. It's best suited for professional contexts where a friendly yet respectful tone is desired. For stricter official communications, addressing the colonel by rank and last name might be more appropriate. Alternatives such as "respected colonel" or "honorable colonel" can be used to convey similar levels of respect with slight variations in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

respected colonel

Replaces "dear" with a more formal adjective.

honorable colonel

Uses "honorable" to emphasize the colonel's status.

my dear colonel

Adds "my" to express personal affection or relationship.

dear general

Changes the rank to "general", indicating a higher-ranking officer.

dear major

Changes the rank to "major", indicating a lower-ranking officer.

colonel, esteemed colleague

Adds "esteemed colleague" to the colonel's title, suggesting a professional relationship.

colonel, a valued friend

Uses "valued friend" implying a personal bond.

good day, colonel

Replaces "dear" with a time-based greeting.

hello, colonel

Uses a basic greeting, less formal than "dear".

colonel smith

Omits the "dear", making the address more direct and slightly less formal.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "dear colonel" in a written communication?

The salutation "dear colonel" is appropriate for formal, yet friendly, correspondence with a colonel you know. In more formal situations, addressing them as just "Colonel [Last Name]" may be more suitable.

What are some alternative ways to address a colonel in writing?

Alternatives include "Colonel [Last Name]", "Respected Colonel", or if the context allows, "honorable colonel". The choice depends on the level of formality required.

Is "dear colonel" too informal for official military correspondence?

Yes, "dear colonel" can be considered too informal for strict official military correspondence. Sticking to "Colonel [Last Name]" is recommended in such cases.

Can I use "dear colonel" in an email to a colonel I've never met?

While not strictly incorrect, starting with "Colonel [Last Name]" in an initial email to a colonel you've never met is safer. You can transition to "dear colonel" in subsequent correspondence if the relationship becomes more familiar.