dear friends

USAGE SUMMARY

'dear friends' is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to address a group of people in a friendly and formal way. For example, "Dear friends, thank you for coming today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dear friends!

The New York Times

Your Dear Friends.

The New York Times

Dear friends, Thank you!

The Guardian

Jonell, family and dear friends.

The New York Times

Zurga: How now dear friends!

The Guardian - Books

EMIL--Arthur, father of our dear friends.

The New York Times

Good luck, dear friends, The Cartoon Lounge.

The New Yorker

And then, dear friends, It happened.

The New York Times

Dear friends, you have indulged our screed.

The New Yorker

Write overdue letters to dear friends.

Stanford University

"They're both dear friends of mine".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When starting a speech or presentation, use "dear friends" to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. It is particularly effective in settings where you want to establish a personal connection with the audience.

Common error

Avoid using "dear friends" in highly formal or official documents, such as legal contracts or formal reports. Opt for more professional salutations like "esteemed colleagues" or "to whom it may concern" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dear friends" primarily functions as a salutation, used to address a group of people in a friendly and inclusive way. It's designed to create a sense of warmth and connection from the outset. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

22%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dear friends" is a grammatically sound and versatile salutation used to address a group of people in a friendly and inclusive manner. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and commonly used. It's particularly effective at the beginning of communications to set a welcoming tone. While it's widely used across various contexts, it’s important to consider the formality of the setting; as explained before, in more formal situations, alternative salutations might be more appropriate. With a very high frequency and consistent usage across diverse sources like The New York Times and TechCrunch, "dear friends" remains a reliable and effective way to connect with an audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

esteemed colleagues

Replaces "friends" with a more formal term suitable for professional settings.

valued companions

Offers a more sentimental and appreciative alternative.

honored guests

Suitable for formal events and ceremonies.

respected acquaintances

Presents a more formal and distanced relationship.

cherished confidants

Highlights the intimate and trusting nature of the relationship.

beloved comrades

Emphasizes unity and shared purpose.

loyal supporters

Acknowledges the support and dedication of the audience.

fellow enthusiasts

Addresses a group sharing a common interest.

kindred spirits

Suggests a deeper connection and understanding.

gentle souls

Evokes a sense of peace and compassion.

FAQs

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

"Dear friends" is typically used at the beginning of a message or speech to address the audience in a friendly manner. For example, "Dear friends, thank you for joining us today."

What are some alternatives to "dear friends"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "esteemed colleagues" for professional settings, "beloved comrades" to emphasize unity, or "honored guests" for formal events.

Is it appropriate to use "dear friends" in a formal email?

While "dear friends" is generally considered warm and friendly, it might be too informal for certain professional emails. Consider using "dear colleagues" or "to whom it may concern" instead, depending on your relationship with the recipients.

What is the difference between "dear friends" and "my dear friends"?

Adding "my" before "dear friends" adds a touch more personal warmth and intimacy. Both are acceptable, but "my dear friends" is slightly more affectionate.