Hi, could anybody explain the differences between these abbreviations, please:
Ms
Mrs
Miss
I always confuse them and please also tell me if those abbreviations are used differently in North America and Europe and Australia.
Thanks in advance
Marina
They are used the same in all English-speaking countries, Marina.
Ms – a married or unmarried woman
Mrs – a married woman
Miss – an unmarried woman
Ms is used out of courtesy when we do not know the marital status of the woman, or if she prefers the title.
Hello MM,
Thank you for your reply. I appreciate your help. Could you please also tell me whether there is a difference in pronunciation between Ms and Miss?
Regards
Marina
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Yes, there is, Marina, and it is usually strongly enunciated because of the social importance of distinguishing:
Ms = /miz/
Miss = /mis/
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Also I know in some parts of the United States, you only say Ms if the lady is divorced.
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I am unaware of that fact, Cooliegirly. What part of the United States does that hold true for?
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Oregon, Mr Micawber.
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I’m afraid that that is not generally understood even in Oregon, CG; I just received a response from my ‘Oregon connection’ (an Oregonian friend), who has this to say:
“The title Ms exists only to avoid the arcane labels implied by Miss and Mrs. It may be used by any woman who cares to mask her marital status and concentrate on who she is as a person. It does, however, tend to carry its own implications (like feminist ball-busting b****). Those are the breaks, right?”
I hasten to add that those are her words, not mine.
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Hi Charles,
I think it’s important to point out that “Ms” is a rather artificial construction that might have been invented by a group of feminists who wanted to create some type of linguistic equality. However, to me using “Ms” is rather confusing because it’s used in written English only so there is no difference in pronunciation between “Ms” and “Miss” simply because “Ms” is never pronounced. At least, that’s how I understand it. Also, why have three different titles for women if there is just one for men? If you address a woman with “Ms” she might actually be more offended than if you would have used “Mrs” because you are implying that she might not be married.[YSaerTTEW443543]
TOEIC listening, photographs: Working at a desk[YSaerTTEW443543]
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Dear me, Torsten-- a bit male-chauvinistic, are you? The words are pronounced differently ( /mis/ vs /miz/). And I suggest that you do a poll regarding what would offend women, rather than assuming it. I believe that we should allow women to decide how they should be titled-- and they have done so by adding Ms to our vocabulary.
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I know why this topic has got tons of views, cos it’s so fundamental for everyday use.
Hi Storm,
Why do think using “Mrs”, “Ms” and “Miss” is fundamental? How often do you address people using those titles?[YSaerTTEW443543]
TOEIC listening, photographs: Shaking hands[YSaerTTEW443543]
Why so fundamental, sorry maybe for the application in an English speaking work environment where hospitality language is spoken to guests or customers. A thought of a Thai English teacher to Thai EFL students. I didn’t see it in the shoes of a Native speaker.
Hi Storm,
Wouldn’t you agree that it is very difficult to distinguish between “Miss” and Ms" in spoken English? As far as I understand, “Ms” is used in written English anyway. Also, how do you define “hospitality language”? Maybe you can give me some examples where you would use “Ms” and “Miss” so I get a better idea of what you mean.
Thanks,
Torsten[YSaerTTEW443543]
TOEIC listening, photographs: A meeting room[YSaerTTEW443543]
Difference between Mrs. and Ms.
Hi,
Mr is an English honorific used for men, e.g. “Mr Smith”, but this term can not indicate whether a man is married or not.
Mrs is an English honorific used for women who are married. Mrs may be used with the husband’s last name, e.g. “Mrs Smith”.
Ms is an English honorific used with the last name or full name of a woman.
Hi Vimalmary,
Welcome to english-test.net and many thanks for your question. Please read What is a meaningful message title?
Best regards,
Torsten[YSaerTTEW443543]
TOEIC listening, photographs: An Asian puppet show[YSaerTTEW443543]
“Maybe you can give me some examples where you would use “Ms” and “Miss” so I get a better idea of what you mean.”
Here is an example of when Ms and Miss are used in a typical situation, and how they can carry certain connotations/feelings for people.
Recently, I went to the DMV to renew my driver’s license. The employee asked me if I was “Ms”, “Mrs,” or “Miss.” Not yet married, and not wanting to go by the young-sounding “Miss”, I replied, “Ms.”
The man gave me an odd expression and asked me to repeat my answer three times. When I again said “mzzz” (to emphasize “ms”), he said, “So you’ve been divorced.”
“No,” I say.
“Well,” he replies, “you better not go by ‘Ms.’ because you’ll scare all the boys away.” He then put me down as “Miss.”
I had never heard that meaning of “Ms.” before; in fact, most of the women I know go by “Ms.” and haven’t been divorced. The man was trying to be helpful (and funny?), I’m sure, but in the end, the exchange just frustrated me.
No real moral to that story, just an example of how those terms come to play in every day life. I associate “Miss” with young girls, “Ms.” with either married or unmarried women, and “Mrs.” with married women. Any boys who run away when I call myself “Ms.” can keep running. Because that’s just silly.
Very good points, Ms Pooka-- welcome to English-test.Net.
I know it’s a bit off-topic but I just got a bit curious here.
Why would boys run away from divorced women? Is that a general trend in the US?