letter closing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "letter closing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the part of a letter that comes before the signature, indicating the end of the message. For example, "Sincerely" is a common letter closing. Alternative expressions include "closing salutation" and "valediction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Both Google and the Justice Department declined to release the department's May 2011 letter closing the investigation.

The New York Times - Tech

"After a thorough and comprehensive review of other consumer protection and competition issues in this matter, the F.T.C. issued a letter closing the investigation," the agency said in a news release.

The New York Times

The April 29 letter closing the investigation -- which had been sparked by two complaints -- stated it did not determine whether VCU was compliant or not with Title IX, but the letter concluded OCR's review.

Huffington Post

Use a basic letter closing.

WikiHow

Use a basic letter closing when you're writing letters to friends and family.

WikiHow

Simply sign your name by hand directly under the letter closing.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The letter closed with: "God be with you".

The New York Times - Sports

The letter closed with a plea to Senator Cleland.

The New York Times

The letter closed, "I read a dozen stories today and all were junk..

The New Yorker

The letter closed, "I read a dozen stories today and all were junk...

The New Yorker

H.P. shares, which were trading at $46.50 on the date of Ms. Allred's letter, closed on Friday at $26.40.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always capitalize only the first word of the closing (e.g., 'Best regards' rather than 'Best Regards') and follow it with a comma.

Common error

Avoid using overly casual closings like 'Cheers' or 'Best' in legal or highly formal professional contexts. This can undermine the seriousness of the preceding message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "letter closing" primarily functions as a compound noun used to categorize the terminal element of written correspondence. In administrative contexts found in Ludwig, it can also act as a gerund-participial phrase modifying the noun 'letter' to indicate a document that terminates a specific case or investigation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "letter closing" is a versatile and correct phrase used to describe the final sign-off of a piece of writing. Data from Ludwig AI indicates that it is widely used in two ways: as a general term for a "complimentary close" like 'Sincerely', and as a technical descriptor for an official "closing letter" that ends an investigation. For writers, the most important takeaway is to maintain tonal consistency between the body of the letter and its closing, ensuring that the register matches the intended audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complimentary close

Provides the most formal and traditional term for the sign-off in a business letter

closing salutation

Refers specifically to the ritualized greeting used to terminate a message

sign-off

Offers a more contemporary and less formal way to describe the end of a message

valediction

Uses a more academic or archaic term for a formal farewell in writing

letter ending

Focuses on the physical position of the words at the bottom of the page

formal closing

Emphasizes the professional tone required for business or legal sign-offs

professional sign-off

Highlights the suitability of the closing for a workplace environment

closing remark

Can refer to a full sentence or phrase used just before the signature

concluding phrase

Broadens the scope to any phrase that finishes the narrative of the letter

parting words

Suggests a more personal or emotional connection at the end of correspondence

FAQs

What can I use instead of "letter closing"?

Depending on the context, you can use technical terms like "complimentary close" or more modern terms like "sign-off".

How do you punctuate a "letter closing"?

In standard American and British English, you should place a comma immediately after the closing word, such as in 'Yours faithfully,' or 'Best regards,'.

Is "letter closing" used for legal documents?

Yes, as shown in Ludwig examples, the term can also refer to a formal "letter closing the investigation", signifying the official end of a legal or administrative process.

What is the difference between a "letter closing" and a signature?

The "letter closing" consists of the words used to sign off (e.g., 'Sincerely'), whereas the signature is your handwritten or typed name that follows it.