The phrase "To Whom It May Concern" is a formal salutation used in letters or emails when the recipient's name is unknown or when the message is intended for an unspecified group or multiple readers within an organization. It is often employed in contexts such as letters of recommendation, formal complaints, letters of introduction, or general inquiries where the specific addressee is not identified
. While still acceptable in these situations, "To Whom It May Concern" is considered somewhat old-fashioned and impersonal today. It can suggest a lack of effort to identify the recipient or that the message is a mass communication. Therefore, it is usually better to address a letter to a specific person by name, job title, or department if possible, to make the communication more personal and respectful
. When using "To Whom It May Concern," the phrase should be capitalized correctly and followed by a colon, as in: To Whom It May Concern: This format is considered the most formal and proper usage
. In summary, use "To Whom It May Concern" when:
- You do not know the recipient's name or specific title.
- The letter is meant for multiple or unknown recipients.
- The context is formal, such as recommendations, complaints, or general inquiries.
Otherwise, it is preferable to find and use a more direct and personalized salutation
