Using titles: Mr, Ms, Mrs in formal greetings

Read/Listen first

At a client visit, a receptionist checks the visitor list and asks, “Good morning, may I have your surname, please?” The visitor replies, “Shah.” The receptionist says, “Thank you, Ms Shah. Welcome to our building.” The visitor smiles and answers, “Nice to meet you.” A colleague joins and says, “This is Mr Green from finance. He will guide you to the conference room.” The receptionist adds, “Please sign the visitor book.” The colleague confirms the time and says, “She will present the first part.” They check the schedule, confirm the room number, and print a badge for the visitor. Before they leave, the receptionist clarifies the pronunciation of the surname and says, “If I pronounce it incorrectly, please correct me.” The visitor appreciates the care and replies, “Thanks, that’s perfect.” The polite use of titles and clear pronouns helps everyone address each other correctly and avoids mistakes during introductions and emails later in the day.

⚡ Learning goals

• Address people with the correct title.
• Clarify names politely in formal situations.
• Use he/she correctly to refer to colleagues.

✨ Key language

• Good morning, Ms/Mr + surname “Good morning, Ms Shah.”
• May I have your surname, please? “May I have your surname, please?”
• He/She will + verb “She will present the first part.”

⚙️ Rules & Grammar — 4 Structures

1️⃣ Titles before surnames (Mr/Ms/Mrs)

Rule: Use a title plus the person’s family name in formal speech.
Examples: Mr Green; Ms Shah; Mrs Gomez
Common pitfall + fix: Using first names too early — Use titles until invited to use first names.

2️⃣ Clarifying names politely

Rule: Use May I…? or Could you…? with please.
Examples: May I have your surname, please?; Could you spell that, please?; Could you repeat that, please?
Common pitfall + fix: Asking with What is — Prefer May I/Could you for politeness.

3️⃣ Pronouns he/she for colleagues

Rule: Use he for men and she for women; keep reference clear.
Examples: He will guide you; She will present; He is from finance
Common pitfall + fix: Switching he and she — Link pronouns to last mentioned person.

4️⃣ Polite requests with please

Rule: Add please to soften requests and instructions.
Examples: Please sign the visitor book; Please take the elevator; Please wait here
Common pitfall + fix: Forgetting please — Use please with requests.

✍️ Vocabulary

  title

Meaning: a polite form used before a surname
Synonyms: honorific, form
Chunk/Idiom: use a title
Example: Use a title with the surname.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: List three common titles you use

  surname

Meaning: a family name
Synonyms: last name, family name
Chunk/Idiom: spell your surname
Example: Please spell your surname slowly.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Spell your surname aloud

  pronoun

Meaning: a word that replaces a noun
Synonyms: substitute, referent
Chunk/Idiom: use correct pronouns
Example: Use correct pronouns in emails.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Write a line with he and she

  clarify

Meaning: to make something clear
Synonyms: explain, specify
Chunk/Idiom: clarify a name
Example: Politely clarify the visitor’s name.
Morphology: verb
Self-practice: Ask: Could you repeat that, please?

  visitor

Meaning: a person coming to a place
Synonyms: guest, caller
Chunk/Idiom: visitor book
Example: Please sign the visitor book.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Say: I’m a visitor today

  formal

Meaning: polite and following rules
Synonyms: official, proper
Chunk/Idiom: formal greeting
Example: Use a formal greeting at work.
Morphology: adj.
Self-practice: Say a formal greeting you use

☁️ Examples (+ audio)

🔊 Play Good morning, Ms Shah. Welcome.

🔊 Play Could you repeat your surname, please?

🔊 Play He will guide you to the room.

🔊 Play Please sign the visitor book.

✏️ Exercises

Grammar

Vocabulary & Comprehension

✅ Guided practice

Mini-dialogue:

A: Good afternoon, Mr Green. Welcome to our building.
B: Thank you. Could you direct me to room twelve?
A: Of course. Please take the elevator to the third floor.

Why this matters:

Correct titles show respect. Clarity prevents awkward mistakes. It supports smooth, professional communication.

Verb & Adjective Pack:

address — “Good morning, Ms Rivera.”
clarify — “Could you spell that, please?”
guide — “He will guide you upstairs.”
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