The formality of a salutation may vary based on the relationship between the sender and receiver.

• A. It is always formal
• B. It is always informal
• C. True
• D. It depends on the topic

Answer: (C)

Salutation formality changes with who you’re addressing and how well you know them. The level you choose should reflect the relationship, the setting, and cultural norms—formal greetings for bosses or clients, slightly less formal ones for colleagues, and more casual ones for friends or family. This flexibility is why the statement is true: it acknowledges that different relationships call for different tones.

Choosing to be always formal or always informal ignores the real-world dynamics of communication, and saying it depends on the topic shifts attention away from who you’re writing to. In practice, the relationship largely guides whether you start with “Dear” and a title, a plain “Hello,” or a simple “Hi” followed by a first name.