comma or exclamation mark with salutation: Dear Jill! / Dear Jill,

[PBL]

I've been wondering whether it is acceptable to use an exclamation mark when starting a letter, as in

Dear Jill!
Hi Jill!
Hello Jill!
Hi there!

Should there always be a comma instead?

Dear Jill,
Hi Jill,
Hello Jill,
Hi there,

What about nothing at all?
Dear Jill
Hi Jill
Hello Jill
Hi there

Would you say that Hi and Hello are more suitable in emails, quick notes etc than in letters?

Best wishes,
PBL

 

[WyomingSue]

In informal e-mails or paper notes to friends, use whatever you want. In a business situation use "dear" and a comma.

 

[natkretep]

For a letter, I think the comma is normal (in American-style business letters, a colon is also possible with the salutation). In business letters, you might also see a style with minimal punctuation - no comma after the salutation (Dear Jill) or close (Yours sincerely).

For email, there is no strict rule. It depends on the level of formality.

• Hi!
• Good morning, Jill!
• Jill
• Dear Jill,

 

[ReactionD]

Since I have a similar question, I'll just ask it here. So "hello" mustn't always have an exclamation mark attached when writing to friends? E.G. Does what Miss Sue said mean I can write "Hello, Ben" and I would be correct? I'd appreciate a BrE speaker's response to this.

 

[ReactionD]

Since I have a similar question, I'll just ask it here. So "hello" mustn't always have an exclamation mark attached when writing to friends? E.G. Does what Miss Sue said mean I can write "Hello, Ben" and I would be correct? I'd appreciate a BrE speaker's response to this.

In this context, I meant to greet Ben.

 

[natkretep]

I prefer the comma after hello/hullo/hallo but you will see the comma-less version too.

Have a look at
comma between 'hi' / 'hello' and name [salutation]: Hi, Paul, I
comma or colon with salutation (informal, e-mail): Hi, there
comma with salutation (informal letter): Hey, Frank vs. Hey Frank

 

[ReactionD]

Alright. Thanks.