to whom it may concern
Impersonal letter opening
A formal salutation opening a letter or document when the writer doesn't know who will read it: To whom it may concern: I am writing to recommend Sarah Chen for the position.
The phrase signals official correspondence—reference letters, complaints, legal notices—addressed to whoever has authority over the matter.
It sounds stiff and impersonal, increasingly replaced by more direct alternatives.
- formal toneImpersonal, elevated language style
- salutationExpression of goodwill
- formal addressRespectful way of speaking
- open letterPublished correspondence for everyone
- memorandumFormal internal correspondence
dear sir or madam · paper trail · certified mail · correspondence · subject line · business communication · cold email · HR department · job application · indirect communication · professional tone · formatting rules · cover letter · reference letter · form letter
- greetingshi, hello, hey, hola, aloha
- polite phrasesplease, thank you, yes sir, hello, no sir
- stock phrasesstock phrase, set phrase, cliche, catchphrase, filler phrase
- formalitydecorum, etiquette, propriety, politeness, respectfully
- letter elementsdear sir, yours truly, sincerely, warm regards, best wishes
- emailinbox, from, send, to, outbox
to whom it may concernmy darling
dearest · my love · dear friend · sweetheart · honey
concern, concerned, concerning, concerns, concernment, unconcerned