Which greeting is appropriate for addressing a department manager in a professional email?

• A. Dear Sir or Madam
• B. Hello
• C. Dear [Manager],
• D. Hey

Answer: (C)

Choosing a professional greeting in an email to a department manager hinges on using a formal, name-specific salutation. This shows respect and sets the right tone for business communication. The strongest choice uses Dear followed by the manager’s name or appropriate title, such as Dear Ms. Smith or Dear John. It personalizes the message while staying formal and avoids making assumptions about gender. The other options feel less appropriate: Dear Sir or Madam is too generic and can seem outdated; Hello is polite but not formal enough for addressing a manager in a first, official email; Hey is too casual for a professional context. If you don’t know the manager’s name, a neutral form like Dear Sir or Madam or To whom it may concern is acceptable, but when possible, you should personalize with the correct name and title.