Final answer:
The correct way to ask someone about their marital status is by asking, “Are you married?” or “What is your marital status?” Use “Ms.” for women when the marital status is unknown and respect the person's preferred or highest-ranking professional title in formal contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct way to inquire about a person's marital status is by asking, “Are you married?” or “What is your marital status?” It is a straightforward and respectful approach to obtain this information. When addressing someone whose marital status is unknown, especially in formal writing such as a business letter, the title “Ms.” is appropriate for women to avoid making assumptions about their marital status. Additionally, when someone has multiple professional titles, it's best to use the highest-ranking or preferred title, like “Dr.” in the case of someone with a PhD who is also a Professor.
Conversations about marital status have evolved with society, recognizing all forms of union, including same-sex marriage. It's important to approach the topic with sensitivity and awareness of the diversity of relationships recognized today.