Yours respectfully

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Yours respectfully" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a formal closing in letters or emails, especially when addressing someone in a position of authority or when conveying a sense of politeness. Example: "Thank you for your consideration. Yours respectfully, Jane Doe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Yours respectfully, Frank E. Hale, Chemist.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

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

WikiHow

Consider the following options: Sincerely, Best wishes, Warm wishes, Thank you, Respectfully yours, Write a casual sign-off.

WikiHow

Otherwise, write "Respectfully yours," "Faithfully yours," or simply "Sincerely".

WikiHow

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

WikiHow

Respectfully yours.

The New Yorker

You may write "Respectfully yours," or "Respectfully submitted," if you prefer.

WikiHow

Respectfully yours, The Etiquette Guy .

The New Yorker

Very respectfully yours, Chief of Police.

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Yours respectfully" when addressing someone in a position of authority or when you want to convey a high level of formality and deference. It's particularly suitable for formal letters or initial communications.

Common error

Avoid using "Yours respectfully" in casual emails or letters to friends and colleagues. It can sound overly formal or even insincere in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Yours respectfully" functions as a complimentary close in formal written communication. It is typically placed at the end of a letter or email, just before the sender's name, to indicate respect and politeness towards the recipient, as validated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Yours respectfully" is a formal closing used in written communication to convey deference and respect, especially when addressing someone in a position of authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and best suited for formal contexts such as business correspondence or letters to superiors. While versatile, "Yours respectfully" is less common than alternatives like ""sincerely yours"" and should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly formal in casual settings. Remember to reserve it for situations where acknowledging the recipient's status or showing particular respect is warranted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Respectfully yours

Inverts the order of the words, slightly changing the emphasis but maintaining the same level of formality.

Sincerely yours

A more common and slightly less formal closing, suitable for a broad range of professional communications.

Yours sincerely

Similar to "sincerely yours" but common in British English.

Faithfully yours

A very formal closing, often used when addressing someone with a high degree of respect or in specific professional contexts.

Yours truly

A traditional and generally polite closing, though it can sometimes sound slightly old-fashioned.

Cordially yours

Conveys warmth and friendliness along with respect, suitable for professional relationships where some rapport exists.

With respect

A shorter, more direct expression of respect, often used in professional settings.

In respectful regard

Emphasizes the feeling of high esteem toward the recipient.

Humbly yours

Indicates deference and a lower position relative to the recipient, very formal and less common.

Best regards

Less formal but still polite, suitable for many business or personal communications.

FAQs

How do you use "Yours respectfully" in a sentence?

"Yours respectfully" is used as a closing in formal letters or emails. For example: "Thank you for your time and consideration. Yours respectfully, [Your Name]".

What's the difference between "Yours respectfully" and "sincerely yours"?

"Yours respectfully" implies a higher degree of deference and is best used when addressing someone in a position of authority. "Sincerely yours" is a more general closing suitable for most professional communications.

Can I use "Yours respectfully" in an email to a colleague?

While grammatically correct, using "Yours respectfully" with a colleague may be overly formal. A more appropriate closing might be "best regards", "kind regards", or "sincerely".

What are some alternatives to "Yours respectfully"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "respectfully yours", "faithfully yours" (very formal), or best regards (less formal).