Yours truly

USAGE SUMMARY

"Yours truly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used at the end of an email, letter, or other written communication to sign off in a polite, friendly way. For example: "I hope this letter has been informative. Yours truly, John Smith".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

(That $100 - about 96 Australian dollars - only covers yours truly).

The New York Times

One actress, a camerawoman and a hack (yours truly).

Independent

Many victims, including yours truly, would gladly subsidize the cost.

Forbes

Yours, truly J---M.

The New Yorker

Yours truly, Bertha Brewster".

The Guardian

Yours truly is now among them.

The New York Times - Health

Yours truly, the REAL Thomas Pynchon.

The New Yorker

Yours truly will be the emcee.

The New York Times

Yours truly, D---Motor Sales Corporation View Article By Larissa MacFarquhar By Rivka Galchen By Blythe Roberson By Malcolm Gladwell.

The New Yorker

Yours truly with watermelon in the market of Sayedabad, Afghanistan.

The New Yorker

Yours truly has done the hard work for you.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience when choosing a sign-off; "Yours truly" is generally appropriate for both personal and semi-formal professional communication.

Common error

Avoid using "Yours truly" in highly formal or legal documents where a more traditional closing like "Sincerely" or "Respectfully" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Yours truly" primarily functions as a complimentary close in written communication. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage as a polite and amicable way to conclude letters, emails, and other forms of correspondence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

27%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Yours truly" is a versatile phrase used as a complimentary close in written communication, serving as a polite and friendly way to end a letter or email. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it is best suited for personal and semi-formal professional communication, with more formal options available for legal or academic contexts. When choosing a sign-off, consider your audience and the tone of your message to ensure it's appropriate. Alternatives include "Sincerely", "Best regards", and "Kind regards", each offering slight variations in formality and tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Sincerely

A more formal and standard closing, suitable for professional correspondence.

Best regards

A common and versatile closing, slightly less formal than "Sincerely".

Kind regards

Similar to "Best regards" but conveys a slightly warmer tone.

Respectfully

Used when addressing someone of high authority or showing deference.

Faithfully

A more traditional and formal closing, often used in legal or official contexts.

Cordially

A friendly and somewhat formal closing, conveying warmth and politeness.

Best wishes

A general and friendly closing, suitable for various personal and professional contexts.

All the best

Similar to "Best wishes" but slightly more concise.

Take care

An informal and friendly closing, suitable for personal correspondence.

Cheers

A very informal and casual closing, primarily used in British English.

FAQs

How can I use "Yours truly" in a sentence?

"Yours truly" is typically used as a sign-off at the end of a letter or email, followed by your name. For example: "Thank you for your time. Yours truly, John Doe".

What are some alternatives to "Yours truly"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "sincerely", "best regards", or "kind regards".

Is "Yours truly" considered formal or informal?

"Yours truly" falls in the middle ground; it is neither overly formal nor extremely informal, making it suitable for a variety of situations. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your communication when choosing a closing.

When is it inappropriate to use "Yours truly"?

Avoid using "Yours truly" in highly formal or legal contexts where a more traditional sign-off such as "Sincerely" or "Respectfully" is more appropriate. Also, do not use it if you are angry with the recipient.