Learn English – A word that describes the polite phrases we use to begin our letters

phrasingword-choice

How can we refer to the polite phrase used at the beginning of a letter (email in my specific context)?

For example, we may start our letter:

Dear Bob, I hope that you're well and had a nice weekend.

If we want to make reference to the line

I hope that you're well and had a nice weekend

in such a way that we could say:

I often wonder how to begin a letter of bad news, but my
[interjection] stands genuine non the less

The term "interjection" doesn't seem like a good fit here. Is there a word that describes the polite phrases we often use to begin our letters?

Best Answer

Either 'greeting' or 'salutation' would fit.

From the online dictionary, meaning 3 is appropriate:

sal·u·ta·tion (sly-tshn) n.

  1. a. A polite expression of greeting or goodwill. b. salutations Greetings indicating respect and affection; regards.
  2. A gesture of greeting, such as a bow or kiss.
  3. A word or phrase of greeting used to begin a letter or message.