ToBE #17 : Ramesh Sir was looking for you

• Ramesh Sir was looking for you.
• Did you meet Gomathi madam with the papers today?
• Mohan Sir, that is not what I told Kapil.
• Where did our sir go?

All of the above are good examples of bad English.

(a) 'Sir' is used as a term of addressing someone. Examples:

• Sir, can you take a photograph of me, please?
• Excuse me, madam.

(b) 'Sir' is used as a prefix for someone who has been given that title by way of knighthood. Examples:

• Sir Richard Attenborough directed the movie "Gandhi".
• Sir Garfield Sobers hit six sixes in an over.

Unlike with Mr./Mrs., the short form of a name using 'Sir' uses the first name. Examples:

• 'Mrs. Gandhi', instead of 'Mrs. Indira Gandhi'.
• However, we should say 'Sir John' as a short form of 'Sir John Falstaff'.

Let us re-phrase our first four sentences:

• Mr. Ramesh was looking for you.
• Did you meet Miss/Mrs./Ms Gomathi with the papers today?
• Mr. Mohan, that is not what I told Kapil.
• Where did our teacher/professor go?

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A note of caution: In most parts of the US, it is impolite, even offensive, to call someone as "Madam". "Ma'am" is acceptable, but "Madam" has some unfortunate connotations.