You know, in French, when there is a mister Roland, we write in abbreviation: M.Roland.
When there are more than one mister Roland, we write in abbreviation: MM.Rolands.
So, in English, how to write in abbreviation in plural these words:
Mr. Thomas. Miss Murphy. Ms. Murphy. Mrs. Reley.
What I’d like to ask, that is how to write the 4 above terms (title+noun) in abbreviation in plural, that means how to change them in plural, including the change of the title and the change of the noun?
Messrs. Thomas = for example: Mr. John Thomas and Mr. Samuel Thomas
(Do not make the last name plural)
As MM noted, Misses and Mesdames are full words and would never need a period (“full stop”). I personally don’t like using a period with “Ms” because “Ms” isn’t really an abbreviation of anything (in the usual sense), but rather simply an invented form of address. :lol:
Not quite appropriate for this forum, but can anyone tell me if there is a French equivalent for Ms? I believe there isn’t, and tend to use Mme. But when I know it refers to a young girl, should I then write Mlle? Or is there a neuter-as-regards-marital-status appellation? I’d be very grateful if a native French speaker replied.
…I’m a native french speaker! And I’m able to write in english, and to be understandable by foreign people…yes it’s possible!!!..
…so coming back to your question…it’s a cruel question! why? Because in fact, there is only Miss (Mademoiselle) and Mrs (Madame) in french! And the worst is…compare to the person you send the email when you don’t know the marital status, you have 2 choices: the first one is to write “Mademoiselle” thinking she’s a young unmarried lady and if she’s not, this could be understand as a flatery (hope this word exists in english) or versus as a critic (you’re still not married!)…
…but in fact all of those existential questions are just a total male fantasm!!!
…women are more intelligent than men and really don’t care about this!!!
…so choose as you feel it… in the position of the writter…“Mademoiselle” or “Madame”…
…but honestly, don’t you think that “Mademoiselle” is simply just the more beautiful word???
In short, there is no equivalent to the English Ms? Well, what DO French people do when they have no idea of the age or marital status of their addressee? Is there an agreed formula? I imagine that just as when you don’t know someone you say VOUS, so perhaps you similarly say MADAME as being more respectful and distant?
Incidentally, there is a word, but it has two Fs - flattery. And fantasm -> fantasy.
If you don’t know who you’re speaking to exactly, it’s better to be a little too formal. So, you use “Madame”. If they’re not married, and wish to be less formal, they correct you. But it’s always better to be a little too formal, than the opposite. Calling a married woman “Mademoiselle” (or an old unmarried woman) could be considered impolite.
