Which opening is most appropriate for a formal email?

• A. Hi,
• B. Dear [Name],
• C. Hello [Name],
• D. To whom it may concern

Answer: (B)

Starting with a formal, respectful greeting sets the right professional tone for business emails. Dear [Name], is the standard choice because it directly addresses the recipient with proper formality and a personal touch when you know who you’re writing to. It signals professionalism and attention to etiquette, which is important in formal communication. In contrast, a casual opening like Hi, or Hello [Name], can feel too informal for formal contexts, and To whom it may concern comes off as impersonal and boilerplate, appropriate only when you truly don’t know who will read the message. So the best opening for a formal email is Dear [Name],.