yours truly

USAGE SUMMARY

"yours truly" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used at the end of a letter to express the sender's regard. For example: Thank you for your assistance. Yours truly, John Smith.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(That $100 - about 96 Australian dollars - only covers yours truly).

The New York Times

One actress, a camerawoman and a hack (yours truly).

Independent

Many victims, including yours truly, would gladly subsidize the cost.

Forbes

Yours, truly J---M.

The New Yorker

Ever yours truly, Oppenheim.

Princeton University

"That includes yours truly".

The New York Times - Sports

Yours truly, Bertha Brewster".

The Guardian

Yours truly, Melanie.

The New York Times

Yours truly on Mt. Monadnock.

University of California, Berkeley

I'm voting for yours truly".

The Guardian - Film

Obviously, yours truly has been proved wrong.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using it to refer to yourself, maintain a slightly formal or self-aware tone.

Common error

Avoid using "yours truly" in very casual emails or texts to friends. Simpler closings like "cheers" or "take care" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "yours truly" primarily functions as a valediction in formal and semi-formal correspondence. It also serves as a pronoun substituting "I" or "me" in sentences, often with a touch of self-awareness. This usage is validated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

28%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "yours truly" is a versatile phrase primarily used as a valediction in letters and emails, as well as a substitute pronoun. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While suitable for both professional and personal communication, it's best reserved for semi-formal to formal contexts. Alternatives such as "sincerely" or "regards" may be more appropriate depending on the situation. Its consistent usage across various sources underscores its enduring relevance in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sincerely

A common closing in formal correspondence.

best regards

A slightly warmer version of "regards".

regards

A brief and versatile closing.

best wishes

Expresses good will in closing.

warmly

A friendly and informal closing.

kindly

Indicates a polite closing.

respectfully

Used when addressing someone of higher status.

I

A simple pronoun referring to the speaker or writer.

me

Another way to refer to oneself.

myself

Refers back to the subject of the sentence.

FAQs

How to use "yours truly" in a sentence?

"Yours truly" is typically used as a closing salutation in letters or emails. It can also be used self-referentially, meaning "me" or "I". For example, "This dish was prepared by yours truly."

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

"Yours sincerely" is used when you know the name of the person you are writing to, while "yours truly" is used when you don't know their name. However, in modern usage, "yours truly" is often used regardless.

What can I say instead of "yours truly"?

Alternatives include "sincerely", "regards", "best regards", or, in more informal settings, "cheers".

Is "yours truly" formal or informal?

"Yours truly" falls in the middle ground – it's generally considered polite and professional, but not overly formal. It is suitable for most business and personal correspondence.