A letter is one of the oldest ways of conveying messages from one person to another. A letter is a type of written message and it can be formal or informal. At the end of the letter, you should include a professional closing. An excellent closing can leave your reader with a positive impression and might tell you what to do in the next step.
If you are sending a letter to someone whose name you don’t know then you should end the letter with “Yours truly” or “Yours faithfully”. So, it means if the letter starts with “Dear Sir,” then you have to end the letter with “Yours.” On the other hand, if the letter starts with a name then you should end the letter with “Sincerely yours” or “Yours sincerely”.
Letter Closing Format
The closing of a letter is very important because it is the last chance to make a first good expression! If you choose the wrong closing then it might damage the goodwill between you and the reader. Therefore, you should pick the closing phrase carefully and then follow it with a comma. Then give 2-4 lines of space. In the space give your signature. Below the signature, write your name with your first and last name. Below the name, you can add some information like designation, company name, phone number, work address, email id, etc. Below are two types of letter closing templates –
Template One
| Kind regards, (Handwritten signature) [Your name] [Email address] [Phone number] |
Template Two
| Thank you, [Your name] [Email address] [Company website] (Company logo) |
Other Types of Letter Closing Examples
- Best,
- Best of luck,
- Best wishes,
- Cordially yours,
- Fond regards,
- In appreciation,
- In sympathy,
- Kind regards,
- Kind thanks,
- Kind wishes,
- Many thanks,
- Regards,
- Respectfully,
- Respectfully yours,
- Sincerely,
- Sincerely yours,
- Stay well,
- Stay safe and well,
- Thanks,
- Thanks again,
- Thank you,
- Thank you for your assistance in this matter,
- Thank you for your consideration,
- Thank you for your recommendation,
- Thank you for your time,
- Warm regards,
- Warm wishes,
- Warmly,
- With appreciation,
- With deepest sympathy,
- With gratitude,
- With sincere thanks,
- With sympathy,
- Your help is greatly appreciated,
- Yours cordially,
- Yours faithfully, Yours sincerely,
- Yours truly,
Words that you should Avoid for Letter Closing
- Always,
- Cheers,
- Hugs,
- Later,
- Love,
- Peace,
- Rgds,
- See ya,
- Talk soon,
- Take care,
- Thx,
- TTYL,
- XOXO,
Best Formal Letter Closing
- Respectfully yours,
- Sincerely yours,
- Cordially yours,
- Yours truly,
- Respectfully,
- Sincerely,
- Cordially,
- Regards,
- Best regards,
- Best wishes,
- With sincere thanks,
Yours Faithfully or Yours Sincerely: Which One is Right?
Both “Yours faithfully” and “Yours Sincerely” are very widely used letter closing. Though they bear the same meaning but there are slight differences between these two terms. If you are sending a letter to an individual and you don’t know the name then you should use “Yours faithfully”. If the letter starts with a “Dear Sir” salutation then it is the right closing option. But, if you know the name of the recipient, then you have to use the term “Yours sincerely.” H. W. Fowler an English lexicographer listed these phrases and their uses:
- Yours faithfully (to an unknown person on business)
- Yours truly (to slight acquaintance)
- Yours very truly (ceremonious but cordial)
- Yours sincerely (in invitations and friendly but not intimate letters)
References:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-end-a-letter
https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/eb/qa/-Your-Yours-and-Letter-Writing
https://www.dailywritingtips.com/yours-faithfully-or-yours-sincerely/
Last Updated on September 1, 2022 by Ana S. Sutterfield
