Business letter

Question

What word can I use to conclude a business letter.

Rommie · Accepted Answer

Yours faithfully,
A Ascendent (Ms)

Chameleon · Answer

faithfully?

I dunno. That sounds a little too personal for me. I'd hate to get a business letter from a roofing supplier that was signed "yours faithfully." Sounds like we are in a relationship.

I'd sign,

"Sincerely,"

or

"Best Wishes,"

Thoughts? Comments?

Maj · Answer

What about, Faithfully yours,?

Rommie · Answer

The traditional rule of etiquette in Britain is that a letter starting "Dear Sir or Madam" must end "Yours faithfully", while a letter starting "Dear " must end "Yours sincerely". In formal etiquete, not to use these formulaic expressions would be interpreted as ignorant. (Obviously this doesn't apply to close personal friends).

Things are different in the states. Over there, "yours sincerely" and "sincerely yours" are the done thing, and "sincerely" is prescribed for use in most letters written by officials of the federal government. In the states, "Faithfully" is almost never used.

The British practice is changing these days, possibly because of American influence. It wasn't that long ago that "Dear Sir or Madam / Yours faithfully" was used for all business correspondence, and "Dear Mr [name] / Yours sincerely" for all formal private correspondence. Nowadays many British companies use the American format.

Rommie

Business letter

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