sincerely

USAGE SUMMARY

'sincerely' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to show the finality of a statement or letter, as a polite parting gesture, or to convey honest feelings. Example sentence: I thank you sincerely for all the help you have given me.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Carne described the delays as regrettable and said: "I apologise sincerely to all those affected.

The Guardian - Business

A highly amusing though grossly overrated book – it is no wonder that it was voted the 20th century's best American novel, because Americans sincerely believe that they actually invented style: the best that money can buy.

The Guardian - Books

She added: "I think it's a sincerely held view that the best way to resolve this matter is to be as accommodating as possible to the Israeli government, to seek influence with them and through that to try and move them to a more positive decision.

The Guardian

It was my first time in India, and as I tried to work out which local train would take me to the rural village where the charity was based, I sincerely doubted I would ever find the place, let alone do any effective occupational therapy once I got there.

The Guardian

Yours sincerely, Henry Porter From: Tony Blair To Henry Porter Subjectt: Liberty Dear Henry Porter, Frankly it's difficult to know where to start, given the mishmash of misunderstanding, gross exaggeration and things that are just plain wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

She was bombarded with questions about her children, her willingness to relocate in order to work for him, and whether she was sincerely committed.

The Guardian

It reorders your world in such a way that, in the moment you lose it, you sincerely believe you're behaving correctly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But of course you can only sincerely celebrate that if you ignore the way the former subsequently killed off large swaths of the latter.

The Guardian - Books

"Any allegations leveled against a person concerning their past are irrelevant as long as they hope for Allah's mercy and sincerely repent from any previous misguidance," it said.

The Guardian

I sincerely hope that they can get this right.

The Guardian - Opinion

And it's really nice to be in a place where I sincerely care about my metamour [polyspeak for your partner's partner]." While she's had non-monogamous relationships in the past, this is Yuli's first genuinely poly experience and she feels happy, grateful and, you know, in love.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sincerely" as a closing in a letter, ensure it aligns with the tone and relationship established with the recipient; it's most appropriate for professional or semi-formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "sincerely" in very casual or informal communication, as it can sound overly formal or stiff. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "best regards" or "cheers" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The word "sincerely" functions primarily as an adverb, modifying verbs or adjectives to express a genuine or heartfelt quality. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates honesty and earnestness in actions or feelings. Examples show it used to modify verbs like 'apologize' and 'hope'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sincerely" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverb that expresses genuineness and honesty. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in written English. It functions to convey sincere feelings or intentions, often appearing in formal contexts like letters and emails, as well as in news and media. While versatile, "sincerely" should be used judiciously in informal settings to avoid sounding overly formal. Related phrases like "genuinely" and "earnestly" offer similar connotations. Remember to use "sincerely" when you truly want to emphasize the honesty of your words.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with all sincerity

A more emphatic way of expressing sincerity, adding weight to the sentiment.

genuinely

Emphasizes authenticity and realness in feeling or expression, suggesting a lack of pretense.

truly

Underscores the validity and accuracy of the sentiment or claim.

earnestly

Highlights the intensity and seriousness of the feeling or intention being expressed.

honestly

Focuses on truthfulness and integrity in the statement or action.

wholeheartedly

Implies complete and enthusiastic support or agreement.

unfeignedly

Indicates a lack of pretense or hypocrisy in the feeling or expression.

from the heart

Suggests that the sentiment is deeply felt and genuine.

in good faith

Emphasizes honesty and sincerity in one's intentions and actions.

de facto

Highlights that something is real and can be trusted, similar to "sincerely"

FAQs

How to use "sincerely" in a sentence?

"Sincerely" is typically used to express genuine feelings or as a formal closing in letters or emails. For example, "I "sincerely hope" you will consider my application" or "Sincerely, [Your Name]".

What can I say instead of "sincerely"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "genuinely", "earnestly", "honestly", or "truly" to convey a similar meaning.

Which is correct, "sincerely" or "your sincerely"?

"Sincerely" is the correct and more common form. "Your sincerely" is an older, less frequently used variant.

What's the difference between "sincerely" and "faithfully" in a letter closing?

"Sincerely" is used when you know the recipient's name, while "faithfully" is used when you don't. For example, "Dear Mr. Smith, Sincerely, [Your Name]" versus "Dear Sir or Madam, Faithfully, [Your Name]".