business letter closings (to Clive, ClaiffJim, MrP, MM)

Question

Hi to all of you!Could you please have a look at http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=40095(it's from another forum, I know) and tell me what your opinion is? I'd like you to pay special attention to MarkLondon's posts.I'm quite baffled by all the comments.Thanks a million!Mara.

Nona the brit · Accepted Answer

Well I'm not clive, calif Jim, Mr P or MM but I hope I'll do.

Yes, to an extent MarkLondon is right, in that these are not often used in e-mails etc and that formal letters are becoming rarer. However he does admit that these forms are still commonly used:

"Don't worry Laia. Not all you have learned will have been wasted. People still do follow the convention, but the real change is that hardly anyone writes letters any more. The vast majority of business communication now takes place over the telephone or by email, and of course, these are relatively informal and different conventions apply.

Does anyone still write personal letters? I don't even send postcards from holiday - the text message has taken over.

Of the 7 letters that I received this morning, 5 still follow the convention. Clearly there is a move towards informality, but most people welcome this. A mutual acceptance that less formality is required does not necessarily mean a lack of respect."

He personally dislikes the formality to the extent that he takes a negative view of job applications received that include them. I suspect he works in one of the 'new media' or associated trendy sort of industry. Most companies still prefer a more formal approach to this sort of thing.

I use faithfully/sincerely in business correspondence unless I know the person reasonably well, when I switch to Kind Regards. I use Kind Regard or Regards in all emails.

The rules are definitely loosening up but you won't really be wrong if you use faithfully/sincerely.

MrPedantic · Answer

There do seem to be many "partial views" in that thread.

I'm inclined to agree with Nona. You won't go wrong if you use "Dear sir/Yours faithfully" and "Dear MrP/Yours sincerely" for ordinary business letters; but you can switch to "Best wishes/Kind regards" if for example you've already exchanged some friendly emails.

Much depends on whether you're the supplier or the customer. If you're the supplier, it's better not to assume that you can be as friendly as you want on first acquaintance.

PR/Marketing/media companies tend to be a little less formal. Media types will often put kisses at the end, for instance, once you've exchanged a few emails. I'm wary of this myself. I like to know who I'm kissing (and where).

MrP

Anonymous · Answer

Is it correct to include your email address on the signature line of a business letter?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I suggest that you put it at the top of the letter, with your other address information.

Best wishes, Clive

business letter closings (to Clive, ClaiffJim, MrP, MM)

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