Respectfully yours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Respectfully yours" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a closing in formal letters or correspondence to convey respect towards the recipient. Example: "Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully yours, Jane Doe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Finish with a closing like, "respectfully yours, (your name)".

WikiHow

Respectfully yours.

The New Yorker

Respectfully yours, The Etiquette Guy .

The New Yorker

Respectfully yours, Marcel S.I.M.I.A.N. vice chair.

The New York Times

Respectfully yours, DavidThat evening, the Wednesday, December 3rd, edition of "The O'Reilly Factor" came and went with no video of me and the guy with the microphone.

The New Yorker

Respectfully yours, Eileen Burbidge.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"Yours sincerely" or "Sincerely" is generally a safe bet; also consider "Cordially," "Respectfully," "Regards" and "Yours Truly".

WikiHow

Yours respectfully, Frank E. Hale, Chemist.

The New York Times

Respectfully and faithfully yours".

The Guardian

What I said at the start stands: I thought Rick's piece, considering Newt Gingrich's language, was, as you might put it, fair and balanced.Respectfully yours, David Remnick Hendrik Hertzberg is a senior editor and staff writer at The New Yorker.

The New Yorker

Examples include: Yours sincerely, Yours cordially, Respectfully, Best, Sign with your full name.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always follow "Respectfully yours" with a comma and then your typed name on the next line.

Common error

Avoid using "Respectfully yours" in casual or informal communications, as it can sound overly formal or even insincere in those settings. Reserve it for situations where genuine respect is intended and appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Respectfully yours" functions as a complimentary closing in formal letters, emails, and other written communications. It is used to signal the end of the message while conveying respect and politeness towards the recipient. This phrase aligns with Ludwig AI's confirmation of its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Respectfully yours" is a standard closing in formal correspondence, conveying respect and politeness. Ludwig confirms its correctness and common usage, particularly in News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business contexts. While highly appropriate for professional settings and communications with authority figures, it should be avoided in casual contexts where its formality might be out of place. Alternatives like "sincerely yours" or a simple "regards" may be more suitable in less formal scenarios. When using this phrase, always ensure it aligns with the overall tone and purpose of your communication to strike the right balance of formality and sincerity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Sincerely yours

A common formal closing, slightly less emphatic in respect than the query.

Yours sincerely

Another standard formal closing, often used when the recipient's name is known.

Yours respectfully

Emphasizes respect, suitable for addressing someone of higher status.

With respect

A shorter, more direct way of conveying respect, suitable for professional settings.

Regards

A less formal but still polite closing, appropriate for many business contexts.

Best regards

Slightly warmer than "Regards", still suitable for professional communication.

Kind regards

Similar to "Best regards", conveys a friendly and respectful tone.

Faithfully yours

An older, more traditional closing, now less commonly used.

Yours truly

A widely used formal closing that expresses genuineness.

Humbly yours

Emphasizes humility, appropriate when addressing someone of much higher authority.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "Respectfully yours"?

"Respectfully yours" is best used in formal correspondence, especially when addressing someone in a position of authority or when you wish to convey a high degree of deference. It's a more formal alternative to closings like "sincerely yours" or "yours truly".

Is "Respectfully yours" more formal than "Sincerely yours"?

Yes, "Respectfully yours" generally conveys a higher degree of formality and deference than "sincerely yours". It's often used when addressing someone of higher rank or status.

Can I use "Respectfully yours" in an email?

Yes, you can use "Respectfully yours" in an email, especially if the email is formal and you are addressing someone in a position of authority. However, consider the overall tone of the email and whether a less formal closing like "regards" might be more appropriate.

What are some alternatives to "Respectfully yours"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "sincerely yours", "yours respectfully", "yours truly", or even a simple "regards" if the situation allows for a less formal closing.