Do you know the differences between ‘Mr.’, ‘Miss’, ‘Mrs.’ and ‘Ms.’? These words are called ‘titles’. They are used to address someone. They are used with the last name of the person you are talking to, for example: Mr. Smith; Mrs. Williams; Miss Johnsons; or Ms. Miller. Knowing the difference between ‘Mr.’, ‘Miss’, ‘Mrs.’ and ‘Ms.’ is very important if we want to show respect for others. There are basic rules for their uses, but they are flexible. When referring to women, for example, it is important to know their preferences. They will feel more respected and more comfortable with you if you respect their choices. This happens because these words are tightly linked to one’s identity. To hear the pronunciation of these titles, click on the phonetic transcription in front of them.
Mr. [ˈmistər]
This is the easiest site to understand. It is used to address men. It does not matter whether he is married or single. When addressing a man, you can always use ‘Mr.’
Mrs. [ˈmisiz, ˈmisəs]
This is the title used for married women. However, some women still want to be addressed as ‘Mrs.’ even if they are widowed (that is, if her husband passed away) or divorced. If you are not sure, the polite thing to do is to ask the woman how she wants to be addressed.
Miss [mis]
This is a common title for young, unmarried women. So, if you are addressing one of them, this title is your best option. However, if you are talking to an unmarried, adult woman, maybe she prefers to be addressed as ‘Ms.’ In this case, just ask her.
Ms. [miz, məz]
This is the safest title you can choose to address a woman. This is because it is considered neutral, an equivalent of ‘Mr.’ It can be used in reference to either a married woman or an unmarried woman. So, if you are unsure about which title you should use when addressing a woman, stick to this one.
If you want to read more tips on vocabulary, click here!
