Selection of the most appropriate polite expressions

When deciding whether to send professional correspondence to a colleague, supervisor or client, it is not easy to determine the greeting the most suitable. If you go about it the wrong way, there is a great risk of upsetting your interlocutor and coming across as an uncivilized person or one who has no use for codes of courtesy. If you want to improve your art of correspondence, you absolutely must read this article.

Polite expressions for a client

As to which form of appeal to use for a client, it depends on the state of your relationships. If you do not know his name, it is possible to adopt the call formula "Sir" or "Madam".

In the event that you do not know if your client is a man or a woman, you have the option of saying "Mr / Mrs".

At the end of your writing, here are two expressions of courtesy for a client:

  • Please accept, Sir, the expression of my respectful feelings.
  • Please accept, Madam, the assurance of my respectful greetings.

 

Polite formulas for a supervisor

When writing to someone with the rank of superior, it is possible to use either of these polite expressions:

  • Please accept, Mr. Manager, the assurance of my best regards.
  • Please accept, Mr. Director, the expression of my deep respect.
  • Please accept, Madam, the expression of my highest consideration
  • Please accept, Madam Director, the assurance of my consideration.

 

Polite formulas for a colleague at the same hierarchical level

You wish to address a mail to a person having the same hierarchical level as you, here are some expressions of politeness which you could use.

  • Please believe, Sir, the assurance of my sincere greetings
  • Please receive, Madam, the expression of my most devoted feelings

 

What expressions of politeness between colleagues?

When addressing a letter to a colleague in the same profession as yourself, you can use these polite expressions:

  • Please receive, Sir, the expression of my cordial greetings.
  • Please receive, Madam, the expression of my fraternal greetings.

 

What formulations of politeness towards a person of a lower hierarchical level?

To address a letter to a person at a hierarchical level lower than ours, here are some polite expressions:

  • Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my best regards.
  • Please accept, Madam, the assurance of my dearest wishes.

 

What expressions of politeness for an illustrious person?

You wish to correspond with a person justifying a high social position and you do not know which formula would be adequate. If so, here are two expressions of courtesy:

  • With all my gratitude, please accept, Sir, the expression of my deep respect

Please believe, Madam, in the expression of my highest consideration.