Question

For the greeting in a business letter when you don't know the name of the person who will be reading it, which of the following is least likely to conform to present-day usage?

(A. Dear Editor)
B. Dear Mrs. Carleton
C. Dear Mr. Givens
D. Dear Sir
I'm very confused because it says Least likely. wouldn't that be all but (a)?

Answer 1

This is very confusing. I think it's a confusing question. "Dear Sir" is the old-fashioned way, but it's now considered sexist because a woman might read the letter. "Dear Editor" is only appropriate for a letter to the editor of a publication. If you don't know who is going to read the letter, you can't address that person by name (you don't know it). I don't know what the "correct" answer would be. I suppose A is as good as any to be least likely UNLESS it really is a letter to the editor, which is NOT a business letter.