formal closing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formal closing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the concluding part of a formal letter or email. Example: "In the formal closing, you might use 'Sincerely' or 'Best regards'." Alternative expressions include "formal conclusion" and "closing statement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

This was followed by the formal closing of the AAFCS/IFHE Liaison Committee in June 2000.

Cornell University

O'Neill said PNG will release a formal closing statement in coming days.

The Guardian

The formal closing date for submissions to the consultation will now be 4 June.

The Guardian

When I finished speaking, the governor rose and walked swiftly from the dais, manifestly in order to avoid social contact with the speaker after the evening's formal closing.

The New Yorker

Early childhood education was reintroduced as a formal Closing the Gap target in December, almost three years after the initial target of getting 95% of Indigenous four-year-olds enrolled in some form of preschool lapsed unmet.

The Guardian

He told us something we hadn't known before, namely, that many knowledgable New Yorkers had done their Fair-going after the formal closing, making leisurely inspection of exhibitions then being dismantled or made ready for the winter, and dining in the restaurants that stayed open for the benefit of the staff.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Robert is relaxed, almost languidly amused; Marcel, more formal, close by his mother, a young man of leisure.

The New York Times - Books

Moreover, complete order observers are proposed to avoid measurement of velocity and acceleration, along with a formal closed-loop stability proof of the observer-based controller.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

December 9 "The event," as theologian Karl Barth has called Vatican Council II, reached its formal close here yesterday, though it may be said that its real work is just beginning.

The New Yorker

Rendell, though, was always clear in interviews that she never wanted to bring the Wexford sequence to a formal close, and has avoided doing so.

The Guardian - Books

On Tuesday, the queen is to attend a thanksgiving service observing the jubilee at St . Pauls Cathedral in London, an event that will bring the celebrations to their formal close.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In administrative contexts, use "formal closing" to denote the official date when a period for submissions or claims ends.

Common error

Avoid using "formal closing" as a synonym for a simple goodbye in casual emails. It is best reserved for formal correspondence or the structured end of an official event, like a summit or an estate administration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formal closing" acts as a noun phrase composed of an adjective and a gerund/noun. According to Ludwig, it serves to identify the structured conclusion of a document or a public event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

31%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "formal closing" is a versatile and correct term used to describe the structured conclusion of various processes. Ludwig AI shows that it is most prevalent in journalistic reporting on events and in instructional guides for correspondence. Whether referring to a "complimentary close" in a letter or the "formal closing" of a legal estate, the term emphasizes a move from active status to a state of completion. Ludwig examples highlight its necessity in professional settings to ensure all parties recognize the official termination of an event or the respectful end of a message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complimentary close

Refers specifically to the professional sign-off in a letter such as 'Sincerely'.

formal sign-off

Uses more modern terminology to describe ending a communication professionally.

formal valediction

Uses a more sophisticated, academic term for the act of saying farewell.

professional closing

Broadens the scope to any business-appropriate ending.

official conclusion

Focuses on the definitive end of a legal or institutional process rather than a letter.

formal ending

A more general term that lacks the specific 'sign-off' connotation.

ceremonial closing

Implies a ritualistic or formal event ending, such as at a conference.

respectful sign-off

Emphasizes the tone of the ending rather than its structural formality.

formal wrap-up

Slightly more idiomatic and often used in workplace or meeting contexts.

official termination

Strictly applies to the legal or administrative end of a contract or project.

FAQs

What can I use instead of "formal closing" in a letter?

You can use terms like "complimentary close", "formal sign-off" or simply "professional sign-off" depending on the context.

How do you use "formal closing" in a sentence?

In a sentence, it often refers to the end of a process: "The "formal closing" date for submissions will be June 4th."

Is "Sincerely" considered a "formal closing"?

Yes, "sincerely" is one of the most common examples of a "formal closing" in business and academic letters.

Is there a difference between a "formal closing" and an "official end"?

A "formal closing" often implies a specific procedure or ritualized statement, whereas an "official end" might simply refer to the chronological stopping point of an activity.