Should "To Whom It May Concern" Be Capitalized?

July 21, 2023 Post a Comment

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Welcome to our article discussing whether "To Whom It May Concern" should be capitalized. This is a common question that many people ask, especially when writing business letters or emails. In this article, we will explore the rules of capitalization and provide examples of when to capitalize this phrase. Let's get started!

What is "To Whom It May Concern"?

"To Whom It May Concern" is a phrase commonly used in the opening of business letters or emails when the recipient is unknown. It is a formal way of addressing the recipient without knowing their name. For example, it may be used when writing a job application letter or a letter of recommendation. This phrase is often followed by a colon and then the body of the letter.

Capitalization Rules

Capitalization rules can be confusing, especially when it comes to formal writing. In general, proper nouns and the first word of a sentence should be capitalized. However, when it comes to "To Whom It May Concern," there is some debate over whether it should be capitalized or not. Here are the rules:

When to Capitalize

If "To Whom It May Concern" is being used as the opening of a letter or email, it should be capitalized. For example:

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to express my interest in the job opening at your company.

In this example, "To Whom It May Concern" is the first line of the letter, so it should be capitalized.

When Not to Capitalize

However, if "To Whom It May Concern" is being used in the body of a sentence, it should not be capitalized. For example:

I am writing to express my interest in the job opening at your company. To whom it may concern, I have several years of experience in the field.

In this example, "To whom it may concern" is not the first line of the letter, so it should not be capitalized.

Examples

Let's look at some more examples to clarify when to capitalize "To Whom It May Concern."

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to recommend John Smith for the position of Marketing Manager.

In this example, "To Whom It May Concern" is the first line of the letter, so it should be capitalized.

Dear Sir or Madam:

To whom it may concern, I am writing to inquire about the status of my job application.

In this example, "To whom it may concern" is not the first line of the letter, so it should not be capitalized.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the rules for capitalizing "To Whom It May Concern" are simple. If it is being used as the opening of a letter or email, it should be capitalized. If it is being used in the body of a sentence, it should not be capitalized. By following these rules, your formal writing will be correct and professional.

Thank you for reading this article. We hope it has been helpful in clarifying the rules of capitalization when using "To Whom It May Concern." Remember, proper capitalization is an important aspect of formal writing, and following these rules will help you to make a good impression on your readers.