yours sincerely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "yours sincerely" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a formal closing in letters, especially when the recipient's name is known. Example: "Thank you for your assistance with my application. Yours sincerely, John Smith."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others, such as Elliot Morley, stick with a straightforward "regards", "yours sincerely" or "yours ever".

The Guardian

Use Yours sincerely or Yours faithfully.

WikiHow

Yours sincerely, Hattie I can well imagine your anxiety.

Independent

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

WikiHow

Yours sincerely, Geraldine What would you advise Geraldine to do? Email your dilemmas and comments to [email protected].

Independent

Yours sincerely, Dodie The word that leaps out at me from your email is "suitable".

Independent

Yours sincerely, Roald Dahl".

Independent

Yours sincerely, Shelagh Delaney".

The Guardian

Yours Sincerely, jboo1698.

The Guardian

Yours Sincerely, Kierran Horsfield".

Independent

Yours sincerely, Stephen.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "yours sincerely" when you know the name of the person you are writing to. It adds a personal and respectful touch to your correspondence.

Common error

Avoid using "yours sincerely" when you don't know the recipient's name. In such cases, "yours faithfully" is the appropriate closing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "yours sincerely" is to serve as a formulaic closing in formal correspondence. It's a conventional way to end a letter or email, signaling the conclusion of the message with a polite and respectful tone. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "yours sincerely" is a correct and very common formal closing used in letters and emails, especially when you know the recipient's name. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it conveys respect and sincerity. While "yours sincerely" is suitable for professional correspondence, there are alternative closings like "kind regards" or "best wishes" for less formal contexts. Remember to use "yours faithfully" when the recipient's name is unknown.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sincerely

This is a shorter, slightly less formal version of the original phrase, suitable for professional communications.

sincerely yours

This alternative reverses the word order, maintaining the same level of formality and meaning.

kind regards

This phrase offers a slightly warmer tone while remaining professional and respectful.

best regards

Similar to "kind regards", this is a friendly yet professional way to end correspondence.

best wishes

This closing is slightly more personal, conveying positive thoughts to the recipient.

respectfully

This closing emphasizes respect and is appropriate for formal communication with superiors.

faithfully yours

This is a more traditional and formal closing, often used when the recipient's name is unknown.

cordially

This single word closing is a slightly warmer and more personal alternative.

with appreciation

This closing conveys gratitude and is suitable when you want to express thanks.

thank you

A simple and direct way to express gratitude at the end of a communication.

FAQs

When should I use "yours sincerely"?

"Yours sincerely" is appropriate for formal letters or emails when you know the name of the person you are writing to. It's a professional and respectful way to close your communication.

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

"Yours sincerely" is used when you know the recipient's name, while "yours faithfully" is used when you don't. Using the correct closing demonstrates proper etiquette.

Are there less formal alternatives to "yours sincerely"?

Yes, depending on your relationship with the recipient, you can use less formal closings like "kind regards", "best regards", or "best wishes".

Can I use "yours sincerely" in an email?

Yes, "yours sincerely" is perfectly acceptable in emails, especially for formal or professional correspondence. It conveys respect and professionalism.