yours faithfully

USAGE SUMMARY

"yours faithfully" is an appropriate and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used at the end of a formal letter to close the letter. For example, "I look forward to hearing from you soon. Yours faithfully, [Name]."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Following a 10-year hiatus in her musical career, Jackson returned with the 1998 album Yours Faithfully.

Wikipedia

Use Yours sincerely or Yours faithfully.

WikiHow

To write your signature, leave a blank space under the Yours faithfully or Yours sincerely where you can write in your signature by hand.

WikiHow

Yours faithfully, Jan Morris".

Independent

Yours faithfully Abdul-Hakim.

Independent

Yours faithfully... TIM RACE.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Respectfully and faithfully yours".

The Guardian

Faithfully Yours CHARLES DICKENS Instead, I made do with the usual feeble promise: Back soon.

The New Yorker

The K.K.K. made a thousand-dollar donation to the University of Virginia; the school's president at the time, E. A. Alderman, signed his thank-you note "Faithfully yours".

The New Yorker

One such relationship was between Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, who wrote to Anne Wortley in 1709: "Nobody was so entirely, so faithfully yours.

Wikipedia

It may be it is our brother, but God only knows ... one cannot help having a thousand fears and melancholy thoughts, but whatever changes may happen you shall ever find me firm to my religion and faithfully yours".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "yours faithfully" when you do not know the name of the person you are writing to, typically when starting with 'Dear Sir or Madam'.

Common error

Avoid using "yours faithfully" when you know the recipient's name. In such cases, "yours sincerely" is the more appropriate and conventional closing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "yours faithfully" functions as a complimentary close in formal letters. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is used to end letters where the recipient's name is unknown. Examples from Ludwig showcase its usage in diverse contexts, from business correspondence to personal letters published in news outlets.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

27%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "yours faithfully" is a conventional phrase used to conclude formal letters, particularly when the recipient's name is unknown. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness in such contexts. While frequently found in news and media, as well as wiki sources, its use signals formality and respect. Remember to use "yours sincerely" instead when you know the recipient’s name. If a less formal closing is desired, consider alternatives such as "best regards" or "sincerely".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faithfully yours

This option omits the possessive pronoun, maintaining a similar level of formality.

sincerely

A standard and versatile closing suitable for various formal contexts.

sincerely yours

This alternative offers a slightly warmer, yet still formal, closing.

yours truly

This option is an older, somewhat less common, but still acceptable closing.

respectfully yours

This phrase is used when addressing someone of higher authority or demonstrating deference.

yours respectfully

Indicates high esteem for the recipient; suitable when addressing authority.

kind regards

This alternative is less formal than "yours faithfully" but still professional.

best regards

This phrase is a common and generally accepted closing for professional emails.

best wishes

A friendly and polite way to end a letter or email.

with sincere appreciation

Use this when expressing gratitude to the recipient.

FAQs

When should I use "yours faithfully" in a letter?

"Yours faithfully" is the correct closing when you begin your letter with "Dear Sir or Madam" or any other generic salutation where you don't know the recipient's name.

Is "yours faithfully" too formal for an email?

While "yours faithfully" is quite formal, it's perfectly acceptable for emails to unknown recipients or in very formal business communication. If you're seeking a less formal alternative, consider "kind regards" or "sincerely".

What's the difference between "yours faithfully" and "yours sincerely"?

The key difference lies in the salutation used. Use "yours faithfully" when you start with 'Dear Sir/Madam' (or similar). Use "yours sincerely" if you address the recipient by name (e.g., 'Dear Mr. Smith').

Are there any modern alternatives to "yours faithfully"?

For a more modern or less formal approach, especially in emails, consider using "best regards" or "sincerely". These are widely accepted in professional contexts.