Your writing can be perfect: grammar at the highest level, punctuation that your high school English teacher would envy, a well-balanced sentence structure. Everything is great, isn't it? Except for one thing - the end of the letter. In English, we can say goodbye in several ways. It is important to remember that the wrong closing phrase can spoil the final impression. Let's look at how to put an elegant full stop in your letter. So, polite letter endings in English - what do you need to know about them?
While writing letters, it is always difficult for people to decide how to complete it correctly. This task can be even more difficult if you are writing in a language other than your own, English. What words need to be combined so that the letter remains in the correct tone?
Whether the letter is informal or formal, business or personal, it's important to find the perfect closing thought. In the article below you will find examples of closing words and sentences with which you can properly close your letter in a business style.
Yours truly
Like a navy blue jacket or a beige tie, Yours truly doesn't stand out, which is good. Behind this short phrase lies: “I think we can safely agree that the ending is not the part of this letter that matters.”
Sincerely
Another reliable option. Again, the purpose of these signatures is to unobtrusively say goodbye and sincerely, that is, "sincerely", to do their job.
Thanks again
If you already said "thanks" once, why not thank a future reader again? Just be careful, and make sure your closing sentence doesn't include a thank you: you don't want to spoil the ending with a cumbersome "thank you again."
Appreciatively
Gratefully helps you avoid overusing the word "thank you". It also doesn't sound as loud as gratefully.
Respectfully
"Respectfully" conveys a certain connotation of respect, so make sure it fits the occasion. For example, if you write a letter to your landlord that contains a series of outrages, and your closing sentence is something like: "Unfortunately, if these shortcomings are not corrected soon, my next step may be to take legal action," then such an ending letter on English as "respectfully" will belook awkward. So be careful.
Faithfully
If "respectfully" only sounds a little respectful, then this type of letter ending in English is a cut above. Again, make sure it's right for you. If you imagine your "pen pal" reading this and getting a little twitchy, then maybe you should consider other options.
Regards
Like "sincerely" and "best", this ending in English is secure and discreet, but is usually used with various additional "accessories" in the form of adjectives. For example, the options are below.
Best regards
"Best Wishes" If you're concerned that a bare "regards" without an adjective might seem too harsh or overtly neutral to the reader of the email, just add "best" - it's the equivalent of a polite smile in a text message.
Warm regards
Warm regards is one of the few English letter endings where you can experiment with incorporating warmth. While the word "warmth" suggests too much intimacy for the initial correspondence, this option may be optimal if you know the recipient of the letter well.
Kind regards
The last variant of the "regards" theme is the use of the adjective kind, "kind". This is a very careful English ending that strikes the right balance between formality and intimacy.
If you don't want to be overly friendly but are worried that your letter might seem overly cautious or reserved to the recipient, "kind regards" is a good bet.
Best
Some people think that "best" looks too frivolous and hasty. Others argue that this is by default the best phrase to end a letter in English. Judge for yourself. In any case, what could be better? Best wishes?
If you have a habit of sending and receiving important e-mails, then the ability to properly complete it should also be there. It is important to understand that knowing how to properly close a business letter is like an acquired instinct that only develops with practice.
