Best wishes

USAGE SUMMARY

"Best wishes" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are signing off a letter or email to express your good intentions. For example, "I hope this helps. Best wishes, John."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Best, Yours, Regards: They're All terrible.

The New York Times

Best, Best regards, or Have a nice day, are much less formal and friendly.

WikiHow

Best regards Aidan.

The Guardian

Best regards, Andy".

The New York Times - Sports

Best regards, Bonnie Bolling Long Beach, Calif.

The New Yorker

Best regards, Tony Hopkins Breaking Bad: full coverage Anthony Hopkins interviewed last year.

The Guardian - Film

Best regards, Beady-eyed Carolyn in Hamburg... .. Sorry.

The Guardian - Sport

Best regards, Danielle Amy Venton Our advice: On Hemingway, consider Michael S. Reynolds's five-volume biography.

The New Yorker

Best regards, MIA FARROW (Your Invaluable Sleuth of Hair History).

The New York Times

Best regards [XXXXXXXXXXXX] <image001.gif> De : AK [mailto:[email protected]] Envoyé : mercredi 19 octobre 2011 10 00 À : [XXXXXXXXXXXX] Van Der straeten Objet : Re: Van der Straeten Many thanks, have a great day!

The Guardian

Best regards, -Sherry.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Best wishes" as a versatile and polite closing in emails, letters, and notes, suitable for various relationships from professional to personal.

Common error

Avoid using "Best wishes" excessively in very casual communications with close friends; opt for warmer, more personal closings like "Cheers" or "Take care."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Best wishes" functions primarily as a complimentary close in written communication. According to Ludwig AI, this closing is deemed correct and usable in written English, effectively ending a message with a touch of goodwill.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Best wishes" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used as a complimentary close in various forms of written communication. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability for expressing goodwill and positive intentions. While suitable for both professional and personal contexts, it leans towards a slightly more formal register. Depending on the specific context, alternatives like "kind regards" or "all the best" may also be appropriate. Due to the lack of examples, this analysis is based on general linguistic understanding and typical usage scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

All the best

A versatile closing suitable for both formal and informal contexts. This phrase is considered fairly universal.

Kind regards

Maintains a formal tone, suitable for professional communication. The difference in semantic meaning is minimal.

Wishing you well

Directly conveys the act of wishing someone good fortune and health. This alternative is slightly more direct.

Warm regards

Adds a touch of warmth while remaining professional. This alternative is slightly more personal.

Sincerely

A classic, formal closing, conveying respect and honesty. The phrase is more traditional.

Yours truly

Another traditional closing, expressing sincerity and respect. This option is considered somewhat antiquated.

Best of luck

Specifically conveys hope for success in a future endeavor. This phrase is more specific in its intent.

With appreciation

Expresses gratitude alongside goodwill, suitable when acknowledging help. The phrase includes an expression of gratitude.

Take care

An informal and caring way to end a conversation or message. This option is friendlier and less formal.

Godspeed

An old-fashioned way of wishing someone success and safety, especially on a journey. This phrase sounds archaic in modern contexts.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "Best wishes"?

"Best wishes" is a versatile closing suitable for both professional and personal communications, conveying goodwill. It is more formal than "Cheers" but less formal than "Sincerely".

What are some alternatives to "Best wishes" in a formal email?

In a formal email, you can use alternatives like "kind regards", "sincerely", or "yours truly" to maintain a professional tone.

How does "Best wishes" differ from "Best of luck"?

"Best wishes" is a general expression of goodwill, while "best of luck" specifically conveys hope for success in a particular endeavor or situation.

Can I use "Best wishes" in a thank you note?

Yes, "Best wishes" is appropriate in a thank you note, expressing your appreciation and goodwill towards the recipient. You might also consider "with appreciation" for a slightly more direct expression of gratitude.