When writing a letter, what form do I use to address a woman?
Answer: When writing to a married woman, follow her preference for first and last names if you know it. She may prefer to be addressed by her original name (Ms. Joan L. Conroy). If you do know that she is using her husband's last name, continue to use her own first name and middle initial (Mrs. Joan L. Noonan).
The form that uses her husband's first name and middle initial as well (Mrs. James W. Noonan) is acceptable only for social purposes. It should never be used when addressing a business letter to a married woman, and it should not be used when a married woman becomes a widow unless she indicates that this is her preference.
In selecting Ms., Mrs., or Miss, always respect the woman's preference. If it is not known, use the title "Ms" or omit the courtesy title altogether. Between "Dear Ms. Noonan" and "Dear Joan Noonan." I vote for "Ms." if you don't know her preference, and it's business-related.
问题94：怎样在信中正确地称呼女士？
回答：如果写信给一个已婚女士的话，可以用她自己常用的姓和名来称呼她。她可能比较喜欢人们用她婚前的名字，比如：Ms. Joan L. Conroy。如果你知道她用的是她丈夫的姓，那就把她本来的名字和名字中间一个字的缩写加上去，比如：Mrs. Joan L. Noonan。
只有在社交场合才同时使用她丈夫的名字和名字中间一个字的缩写。在写给已婚女士的商务信函中，则不能用这种形式的称呼。另外，也不宜这样称呼一个丧夫的女士，除非她表示她喜欢这个称呼。
在选用Ms., Mrs., or Miss时，也同样要使用女士们自己喜欢的称呼。如果不知道的话，就用“Ms”，或者就干脆把尊称整个去掉。在“Dear Ms. Noonan”和“Dear Joan Noonan”这两个称呼中，如果你不知道那个女士自己比较喜欢那个称呼，而且同她是业务关系的话，我比较赞成“Ms”的称法。
94：怎样在信中正确地称呼女士？
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