A reader wonders about starting a letter with the primary particular person pronoun:
I used to be taught by no means to start a letter (enterprise or private) with the phrase “I.” This should actually must do with the principally outdated idea of humility being a advantage. Nevertheless, I proceed to consider that humility is a advantage and that the foundation reason for a lot evil is egocentrism. This rule does trigger me to rewrite the start of many letters to adjust to this admonition.
Just like the reader, I used to be additionally taught to not start a letter with “I” and sometimes discover myself struggling to keep away from doing so. I even return and take out the primary particular person pronoun within the physique of a letter if there appear to be too many.
Apparently many people had been taught this “rule,” however as far I can uncover, it isn’t and by no means was a rule.
I possess an assortment of grammar books and magnificence guides with numerous publication dates. The closest factor to a rule that I’ve discovered is that this remark from a textual content printed in 1907:
Free use could also be fabricated from the private pronouns [in correspondence], even of the First Particular person Singular; although it’s higher to not start many sentences with “I.”
The most effective observe is to decide on the primary phrase of a enterprise letter in keeping with the aim of the letter.
A gross sales letter may appropriately start with you, whereas a letter of utility may profit from starting with I. A College of Washington letter-writing information presents 5 pattern utility letters. Each begins with the primary particular person singular pronoun.
The caveat towards starting a enterprise letter with I belongs with these different cherished grammar superstitions like “by no means finish a sentence with a preposition.” Writers can select to keep away from doing it when potential, however there’s no have to endure pangs of guilt once we can’t consider an alternate.