Yours faithfully

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Yours faithfully" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a polite closing salutation typically used in more formal correspondence, such as a letter to a company or government body. For example: Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to inquire about... ... Thank you for your time. Yours faithfully, [Name].

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Following a 10-year hiatus in her musical career, Jackson returned with the 1998 album Yours Faithfully.

Wikipedia

Yours faithfully, Jan Morris".

Independent

Yours faithfully Abdul-Hakim.

Independent

Yours faithfully... TIM RACE.

The New York Times

Yours faithfully, Ian Leslie.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yours faithfully, C. D. MacGillivray, Sec.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

While going through Needham's papers, held in the library's Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, they came across an undated letter to an unknown correspondent, written in a barely readable scrawl, signed, "With my best thanks, pray believe me yours very faithfully & obliged Ch.

Cornell University

In expressing to you my cordial thanks for your kind interest in my tribulations, I am with devoted greetings and the request that you convey my respects to your esteemed wife, very faithfully yours, Westphal.

Princeton University

Respectfully and faithfully yours".

The Guardian

Faithfully Yours CHARLES DICKENS Instead, I made do with the usual feeble promise: Back soon.

The New Yorker

The K.K.K. made a thousand-dollar donation to the University of Virginia; the school's president at the time, E. A. Alderman, signed his thank-you note "Faithfully yours".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Yours faithfully" when you are addressing someone you do not know by name, such as when beginning with "Dear Sir or Madam" or "To Whom It May Concern".

Common error

Avoid using "Yours faithfully" when you know the recipient's name; instead, opt for "Yours sincerely" or a more informal closing like "Best regards".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Yours faithfully" functions as a complimentary close in formal correspondence. It signals the end of a letter or email, conveying politeness and respect to the recipient. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Yours faithfully" is a formal closing salutation primarily used in letters and emails when the recipient's name is unknown. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, especially in formal contexts. While “"Yours sincerely"” is preferred when the recipient's name is known, alternatives like “"Sincerely"” or “"Best regards"” offer modern, versatile options. Remember to use "Yours faithfully" appropriately to maintain a professional and polite tone in your correspondence. The sources indicate that it is most common in News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Yours sincerely

Used when the recipient is known by name; slightly less formal than "Yours faithfully".

Faithfully

A shortened form of "Yours faithfully", though less common on its own.

Sincerely

A general closing, suitable for both formal and semi-formal contexts.

Respectfully

Conveys a high degree of deference and is often used when addressing someone of high authority.

Kind regards

Similar to "Best regards", but slightly more formal.

Best regards

A more informal closing, suitable for business correspondence.

Cordially

Expresses warmth and friendliness, suitable for professional relationships.

With sincere appreciation

Emphasizes gratitude and is suitable when expressing thanks.

Best wishes

A friendly and polite closing, less formal than "Yours faithfully".

With gratitude

Similar to "With sincere appreciation", focusing on thankfulness.

FAQs

When should I use “Yours faithfully” instead of “Yours sincerely”?

Use “Yours faithfully” when you don't know the name of the person you're writing to (e.g., starting with "Dear Sir or Madam"). Use “"Yours sincerely"” when you know their name (e.g., starting with "Dear Mr. Smith").

Is “Yours faithfully” outdated?

While it is a traditional closing, “Yours faithfully” remains a perfectly acceptable and professional way to end a formal letter, particularly in British English. However, more modern closings such as “"Sincerely"” or “"Best regards"” are also common.

What is a more informal alternative to “Yours faithfully”?

For less formal correspondence, consider using closings like “"Best wishes"”, “"Kind regards"”, or simply “"Regards"”. These options are suitable for emails and letters where a less stiff tone is appropriate.

Can I use “Yours faithfully” in an email?

Yes, “Yours faithfully” is appropriate for emails, especially when the email is formal and you don't know the recipient's name. However, for most email communication, a more modern closing might be preferred.