• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Erin Wright Writing

Writing-Related Software Tutorials

  • Microsoft Word
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • PowerPoint
  • Writing
  • Editing

Email and Letter Closings, Part 1

By Erin Wright

Email and Letter Closings, Part 1 | Image of Mailbox in Rural LandscapeIn December, we discussed salutations at the beginning of business emails and letters. Today, we’ll cover email and letter closings, such as sincerely and best regards. Although these words and phrases are technically called valedictions or complimentary closings, they are frequently just referred to as closings.

Regardless of what you call them, closings are almost always followed by a comma. One exception occurs in open-punctuation business letters. In this format, neither the salutation nor the closing is followed by punctuation of any sort. They just sit there alone—sadly lacking the companionship of a comma, colon, or period. While open punctuation is popular in emails, it should be used with caution; after all, you don’t want the recipient of your business correspondence to think that you forgot to use punctuation!

Unlike salutations, which are pretty much limited to dear, hi, hello, and greetings, complimentary closings give us an opportunity for personalization. The trick is to choose a closing that matches both the message and your relationship with the recipient. Here are some formal options to consider:

Sincerely,

Sincerely yours,

With many thanks,

Best regards,

Kind regards,

Regards,

Yours truly,

Truly yours,

Respectfully,

Respectfully yours,

Yours respectfully,

Cordially,

With appreciation,

With gratitude,

Note that only the first word is capitalized in multi-word closings. Here are some casual options for informal emails:

All the best,

Best,

Best wishes,

Cheers,

Warmly,

Warm wishes,

Warm regards,

Warmest regards,

Of course, truly personal communication can close with anything from your friend to peace out. (But if you’re writing to your grandma, I think you should always close with love.)

In Part 2, we’ll tackle the issue of ending emails and letters with sentences and elliptical clauses such as “Have a nice day!” and “Thank you!”

Until then, warm regards, best wishes, and cheers!

Filed Under: Writing Tagged With: business writing, formatting

Home » Email and Letter Closings, Part 1

Primary Sidebar

Meet the Author

Technical Writer and Editor Erin Wright

Hello! My name is Erin. I am a technical writer and editor who shares writing-related software tutorials on this website and on YouTube.

Recent Tutorials

How to Add an Updating Date and Time in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac)

How to Crop Pages in Adobe Acrobat (PC & Mac)

How to Insert and Modify Shapes in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac)

How to Find and Replace Text in Word for Mac

How to Find and Replace Text in Microsoft Word

Explore More Tutorials

  • Microsoft Word
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • PowerPoint
  • Writing
  • Editing

Do you like quick tips? Check out my latest YouTube #Short

Footer

  • Microsoft Word Tutorials
  • Adobe Acrobat Tutorials
  • PowerPoint Tutorials
  • Writing Tips
  • Editing Tips
  • Writing-Related Resources
  • About Me
  • Contact
Email: erinwrightwriting@gmail.com
Phone: 708-669-9503

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

© Erin Wright, 2012–2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this website’s owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Erin Wright with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.