dear sirs

USAGE SUMMARY

"dear sirs" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to address multiple people, typically a group of males, in a formal letter or email. For example, "Dear Sirs, We are writing to inform you that the shipment of your order will be delayed due to a shipping error."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

You can write "Dear Sirs," "Dear Madams," or "Dear Sirs and Madams".

WikiHow

Dear Sirs: Uganda isn't Connecticut.

The Washington Post

"Dear Sirs," ran GK's succinct rejoinder, "I am".

The Guardian - Books

If it's an organisation, then we currently use 'Dear Sirs' as that remains the accepted standard.

The Guardian

London; Dear Sirs/ I have only j8ust returned from a holiday in Rome.

Cornell University

April 13th Dear Sirs: I remain deeply uninterested in purchasing a walk-in bathtub.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Salutation is omitted (no "Dear Sir").

The New Yorker

"Dear Sir," the note reads.

The New Yorker

I am, dear sir, Very truly yours.

Princeton University

Hacker: Calm down, dear Sir Humphrey.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Dear Sir or Madam," the letter begins.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dear sirs", ensure that you are indeed addressing a group of men. If the gender composition is mixed or unknown, opt for a more inclusive salutation such as "to whom it may concern" or "dear colleagues".

Common error

Avoid using "dear sirs" when the audience includes women or individuals of unknown gender. This can be perceived as exclusionary and insensitive. Instead, choose gender-neutral alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dear sirs" functions as a formal salutation in written communication, typically used at the beginning of a letter or email to address a group of men. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

16%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dear sirs" serves as a formal salutation intended for addressing groups of men in written communication. While grammatically correct and confirmed usable by Ludwig AI, its appropriateness is increasingly questioned due to inclusivity concerns. Modern communication often favors gender-neutral alternatives like "to whom it may concern" or "dear colleagues", especially when the gender composition of the audience is uncertain. When addressing a definitively male group, be mindful of the formal tone implied by this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Dear Gentlemen

A more general and slightly more modern alternative to address a group of men.

Gentlemen

A shortened, very formal salutation.

Dear Colleagues

Appropriate when addressing a group of male colleagues.

Sirs

A concise and extremely formal option, less commonly used today.

Dear Sir or Madams

An attempt to include both genders, although it can sound awkward.

To Whom It May Concern

A completely neutral and impersonal salutation suitable when the recipients' genders are unknown.

Dear Board Members

Specific to addressing a board of directors, assuming they are all male.

Dear Team

A more modern and informal way to address a group of people.

Dear All

A simple and inclusive greeting for any group of people.

Greetings

A neutral and versatile salutation for any audience.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "dear sirs"?

Use "dear sirs" only when you are certain that you are addressing a group consisting exclusively of men. If there's any doubt, a gender-neutral alternative is preferable.

What are some alternatives to "dear sirs"?

If you're unsure of the recipients' genders, use phrases like "to whom it may concern", "dear colleagues", or simply "dear team".

Is "dear sirs and madams" a good alternative?

While "dear sirs and madams" aims to be inclusive, it can sound awkward or outdated. Consider using "to whom it may concern" for a more professional tone.

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

"Dear sir" is used to address a single man, whereas "dear sirs" is used to address a group of men. If addressing a single individual of unknown gender, use "dear sir or madam" or a similar neutral greeting.