dear gentlemen

USAGE SUMMARY

"dear gentlemen" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used as a salutation or greeting at the beginning of a letter or email when addressing a group of men in a polite and respectful manner. Example: Dear Gentlemen, Thank you for considering my proposal. I believe that our collaboration would be mutually beneficial and I look forward to discussing further details with you. Sincerely, [Your Name].

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And it was like that with my dear Yuri Alexeyevich too, dear gentlemen: on the twelfth of April 1961 I could feel him looking down at me from above, and I was sure he was thinking about me.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It has been my pleasure to have as a friend for nearly 30 years a dear gentleman who was diagnosed six years ago with Parkinson's disease," says Mr O'Connell.

BBC

Dear, dear, dear.

Independent

He was a very funny and dear man; a gentleman in the truest sense of the word -generous, kind, gracious, and unfailingly loyal.

The New York Times

Yes, dear honorable gentlemen of America, we are!

Huffington Post

Farewell dear, dear man".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Dear friend, gentleman, golfing companion.

The New York Times

Taking the stage, he said, "Good evening, dear ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, this is a happy day for us".

The New Yorker

Ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues Before I run out of time, let me share some insights on Angola.

The Guardian

His successor, Heinrich Lübke, was a failure (one speech in Africa began "ladies and gentlemen, dear negroes").Yet it is indirect election that makes the selection process most arduous, because it becomes a political power game.

The Economist

Dear ladies and gentlemen, over the last few years I've often written your leaders, but now that my term is ending I've decided my last letter should be to you, the Arab masses, the Arab street, who have paid such a high price for this ongoing conflict.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When addressing a mixed-gender group, consider alternatives like "ladies and gentlemen" or "dear colleagues" for inclusivity.

Common error

Avoid using "dear gentlemen" when the audience includes women. Opt for gender-neutral salutations like "dear colleagues" or "hello everyone" to ensure inclusivity and avoid alienating members of the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dear gentlemen" functions primarily as a formal salutation, typically used at the beginning of a letter, email, or speech to address a group of men. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates respect and sets a formal tone.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

13%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dear gentlemen" is a grammatically sound and formally respectful salutation. Ludwig AI confirms it's suitability for initiating formal communications specifically targeted to men. Although considered appropriate, it is crucial to consider your audience. Usage should be reserved for formal contexts with exclusively male audiences. For mixed-gender groups, alternatives like "dear colleagues" or "ladies and gentlemen" are more appropriate. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While authoritative sources still employ it, attention to inclusivity remains paramount in modern communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dear colleagues

Replaces "gentlemen" with a more inclusive term, suitable for mixed-gender groups.

honorable gentlemen

Adds a layer of respect and formality, often used in formal speeches or written addresses.

esteemed gentlemen

Similar to 'honorable', but emphasizes high regard and respect.

respected sirs

A formal and deferential way to address men, particularly in written correspondence.

dear sirs

A direct and traditional way to address men formally.

gentlemen

Omits "dear", making it slightly less personal but still polite.

ladies and gentlemen

Addresses a mixed-gender audience, including both women and men.

dear friends

More casual and friendly, suitable when the relationship is less formal.

fellow gentlemen

Emphasizes camaraderie and shared status among the men being addressed.

dear attendees

A neutral greeting, addressing any audience member, regardless of gender.

FAQs

How to use "dear gentlemen" in a sentence?

"Dear gentlemen" is typically used as a salutation in formal letters or emails when addressing a group of men. For example: "Dear Gentlemen, I am writing to you today to express my interest in the position."

What can I say instead of "dear gentlemen"?

You can use alternatives such as "dear colleagues", "honorable gentlemen", or "ladies and gentlemen" depending on the context and the audience.

Is it appropriate to use "dear gentlemen" in modern business communication?

While "dear gentlemen" is grammatically correct, it is important to consider inclusivity. If you are unsure if the audience consists exclusively of men, it is safer to use a gender-neutral alternative like "dear colleagues".

What's the difference between "dear sirs" and "dear gentlemen"?

"Dear sirs" is a more traditional and formal salutation, whereas "dear gentlemen" is slightly less formal but still appropriate for professional communication. The choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.