Capitalization In "To Whom It May Concern"

July 14, 2023 Post a Comment

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Welcome to our article on capitalization in "To Whom It May Concern" letters! Whether you're writing a cover letter, recommendation letter, or any other formal correspondence, it's important to know how to properly capitalize the addressee's name. In this article, we will explore the rules and guidelines for capitalization in "To Whom It May Concern" letters.

The Basics of Capitalization

Before we dive into the specifics of "To Whom It May Concern" letters, let's review some basic rules of capitalization in formal writing:

Capitalize the first letter of the first word in a sentence.

Capitalize proper nouns (names of people, places, and organizations).

Capitalize titles before a person's name (e.g. Dr. Jane Smith).

Do not capitalize job titles unless they come before the person's name (e.g. Jane Smith, CEO).

Capitalizing "To Whom It May Concern"

When addressing a letter to an unknown recipient, "To Whom It May Concern" is a common salutation. Here are the guidelines for capitalizing this phrase:

Capitalize the first letter of each word.

Do not use quotation marks around the phrase.

For example:

"To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to express my interest in the open position at your company."

Capitalizing Names After "To Whom It May Concern"

When addressing an unknown recipient, it's important to capitalize the name of the addressee correctly. Here are the rules for capitalizing names after "To Whom It May Concern":

If the name is known (e.g. "To Whom It May Concern: John Smith"), capitalize the first letter of the name.

If the name is unknown, do not capitalize any words after "To Whom It May Concern."

For example:

"To Whom It May Concern: John Smith, I am writing to recommend him for the position of Sales Manager."

"To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to inquire about your services."

Capitalizing Titles After "To Whom It May Concern"

In some cases, it may be appropriate to address a letter to a specific department or position (e.g. "To Whom It May Concern: Human Resources Manager"). Here are the rules for capitalizing titles after "To Whom It May Concern":

Capitalize the first letter of each word in the title.

Do not capitalize the word "manager" unless it is part of the person's job title.

For example:

"To Whom It May Concern: Human Resources Manager, I am writing to inquire about job opportunities at your company."

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When writing "To Whom It May Concern" letters, there are a few common mistakes to avoid:

Do not use all caps for the salutation or addressee's name.

Do not use quotation marks around the salutation.

Do not capitalize words after "To Whom It May Concern" if the name is unknown.

Conclusion

Proper capitalization is an important part of writing "To Whom It May Concern" letters. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your correspondence is professional and polished. Remember to always proofread your letters for errors and typos, and tailor your writing to the specific job or opportunity you are applying for. Good luck!