This document provides guidance on the proper uses of honorific titles like Mr., Mrs., Miss, and Ms. when referring to people. Mr. is used with a last name for a man and does not indicate marital status. Mrs. is used for a married woman, while Miss is for a single woman. Ms. can be used for both married and single women as marital status is unknown. Sir and Ma'am are used without a last name to show respect when the person's name is unknown.

1. Mr. Mrs. Miss Ms.
Pronounced
“mister”
Pronounced
“misses”
Pronounced
“miss”
Pronounced
“mizz”
Used with last
name
Used with last
name
Used with last
name
Used with last
name
Example:
“Please give this
to Mr. Smith”
Example:
“Please give this
to Mrs. Smith”
Example:
“Please give this
to Miss Smith”
Example:
“Please give this to Ms.
Smith”
Itis not possible
to know if the
man is married
or single.
Used to refer to
a married
woman.
Used to refer to
a single woman.
Itis not posible to know
if the woman is married
or single.
Sir = Señor
Ma’am = Señora
Use SIRor Ma’am when you don’tknow the last name.
Example:
Nice to meet you Sir
Good morning Ma’am