sincerely yours

USAGE SUMMARY

'sincerely yours' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is traditionally used to conclude a letter or other written communication. For example: 'I hope this letter finds you well. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Sincerely yours, John Smith'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sincerely yours, Your Son, Sonny.

The New Yorker

Sincerely yours, Your boss, (aka, the American people).

Huffington Post

and a "Sir," or misspelled Zabar's, or signed a letter "Sincerely yours" instead of "Yours sincerely".

The New York Times

How did you come in contact with your current label, Sincerely Yours?

Vice

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

WikiHow

Sincerely yours, Robert Lowell P.S. Thanks for all the pleasant undeserved things you said in your letter.

The New Yorker

Sincerely yours.

The New Yorker

Sincerely yours, A. Ginsberg".

The New York Times - Books

Inscribed "Sincerely yours, Bonnie & Semoura.

Yale University

eyes, I am sincerely yours.

Princeton University

Ever sincerely yours, C. Ricketts".

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sincerely yours" in formal and semi-formal correspondence, particularly when you know the recipient's name.

Common error

Avoid using "sincerely yours" in highly informal settings, such as casual emails to close friends or family; opt for closings like "best" or "cheers" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sincerely yours" functions as a complimentary close in written correspondence. It's a conventional way to end a letter or email, signaling the conclusion of the message. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sincerely yours" is a correct and widely used phrase employed as a complimentary close in formal and semi-formal correspondence. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates sincerity and politeness. While versatile, it's best suited for situations where you know the recipient's name and wish to convey respect. Alternatives like "kind regards" or "best wishes" offer slightly less formal options. Remember to avoid it in overly casual communications where simpler closings suffice. With its frequent appearance in news media, academia, and business contexts, mastering its usage is valuable for effective written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Yours sincerely

Reverses the order of the words while maintaining a similar level of formality.

Kind regards

Offers a slightly less formal and more personal closing.

Best regards

Similar to 'kind regards' but slightly more common in business contexts.

Best wishes

A friendly and warm closing, suitable for various relationships.

Respectfully

Used when addressing someone of high authority or showing deference.

Faithfully yours

A more formal closing, typically used when the recipient's name is unknown.

Cordially

Suggests a warm and friendly sentiment, suitable for professional relationships.

Thank you

Expresses gratitude while closing the communication.

With appreciation

Highlights gratitude and is suitable for expressing thanks.

Warmly

A concise and friendly closing for personal or informal professional communications.

FAQs

How do I use "sincerely yours" in a sentence?

"Sincerely yours" is used as a complimentary close at the end of a letter or email, followed by your name. For example: Sincerely yours, [Your Name].

What is a more formal alternative to "sincerely yours"?

A more formal alternative is "faithfully yours", which is used when you don't know the recipient's name.

What can I say instead of "sincerely yours" in a business email?

In a business email, you can use "kind regards", "best regards", or "best wishes".

When is it inappropriate to use "sincerely yours"?

It's inappropriate to use "sincerely yours" in very informal communications, such as texts or casual notes to close friends. Simpler closings like "thanks" or "best" are more suitable.