dear folks

USAGE SUMMARY

"dear folks" is correct and could be used in written English, particularly when addressing a group of people.
For example, you might open a letter to a large family with: "Dear Folks, I hope this letter finds you all doing well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Dear folks, firstly Ferrero is an Italian manufacturer, and secondly, where do think they get the cocoa from to make the chocolate with?" said one.

The Guardian

dear folks.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

When this flaming rara avis swooped down on Finney County, Kansas, the Deweys, those "Dearest Folks" and "Honey Hearts," had offered him a perch, whereas others must have been more inclined, at least at first, to greet him with a baseball bat.

The New Yorker

Dear, dear, dear.

Independent

"Dear Folks," one from January , 1945 begins, "Everything is coming along fine here & I do hope the same thing goes for all you swell people at home".

The New Yorker

This "RTP Thank You Note" that popped up over the weekend from Ruth Dobson-Torres is just one example of how dear some folks hold RTP. 2. Some people who made it in the Park are now older and richer.

Forbes

Poor, dear simple folk!" Darwin mused wryly afterwards, but he was hurt by attacks from scholars he had once respected.

The Guardian

His memory is held dear among ordinary folk in the northwestern extreme of Ireland where he was born.

The Economist

Were you nervous to air these critiques of folks held dear by many who would be considered your book's target audience?

HuffPost

While it's a juicy narrative that rich people spoil everything the common folk hold dear, there are plenty of tech bigwigs at Burning Man that work hard to contribute and embody the event's ideals of inclusion.

TechCrunch

A common eliminativist response to this argument is to re-emphasize a lesson from the philosophy of science; namely, that any theory especially one that is as near and dear to us as folk psychology can often appear successful even when it completely misrepresents reality.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dear folks" when addressing a group of people you know well or want to create a warm, informal tone. It's especially suitable for letters, emails, or speeches to family, friends, or community members.

Common error

Avoid using "dear folks" in highly formal or professional communications where a more neutral or respectful tone is required. Phrases like "esteemed colleagues" or "valued customers" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dear folks" functions primarily as a salutation, an introductory phrase used to greet an audience or specific group. The Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage as a friendly opening.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dear folks" is a grammatically correct phrase primarily used as a salutation to create a friendly and informal tone. While relatively rare, as indicated by Ludwig, it is suitable for addressing family, friends, or a familiar audience in personal communications. Ludwig AI underscores its appropriateness in casual contexts, advising against its use in formal or professional settings where alternatives like "esteemed colleagues" may be more suitable. The phrase's function is to foster warmth and familiarity, making it best suited for scenarios where a personal connection is valued.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dear friends

Similar level of formality but implies a closer relationship.

lovely folks

More affectionate and informal.

dear guys

More informal and common in casual conversation.

dear gentlemen

More formal and specifically addresses men.

dear families

Specifically addresses families.

dear companions

More formal and emphasizes shared experience.

dear colleagues

Used in a professional context to address coworkers.

dear residents

Used in official communications to address residents.

hello everyone

A simple and neutral greeting suitable for various contexts.

greetings all

Slightly more formal and old-fashioned.

FAQs

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

You can use "dear folks" as a salutation at the beginning of a letter or email, such as, "Dear folks, I hope you're all doing well." It sets a friendly and informal tone.

What's a more formal alternative to "dear folks"?

For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "esteemed colleagues", "valued customers", or simply "dear sir or madam".

Is it appropriate to use "dear folks" in a business email?

It depends on your relationship with the recipients. If you have a close, informal relationship, it can be acceptable. However, in most business contexts, a more formal greeting like "dear team" or "dear colleagues" is more appropriate.

What can I say instead of "dear folks" to a group of friends?

You could use alternatives like "hey everyone", "hi guys", or simply "hello friends" to maintain a casual and friendly tone.