I usually sign e-mails and letters 'Kind regards' but when is it appropriate to end a letter 'Yours sincerely'. I seem to remember being taught that you should do this, only if you know or have had correspondence with that person before.
2006-06-28 04:18:31 · 27 answers · asked by Dumi Dave 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Yours sincerely is the appropriate response for a formal letter if you know the name of the person you are writing to.
Yours faithfully is used for those formal letters where you don't know the person's name and have addressed this person as Sir/Madam.
You can be sincere if you know someone, you can only act in good faith if you don't.
An easy way to remember is if you used "s" at the head of the letter (as in Sir), don't use an "s" at the end (as in sincerely).
2006-06-28 11:06:29 · answer #1 · answered by markspanishfly 2 · 11⤊ 0⤋
Ending A Formal Letter
2016-12-11 08:05:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The traditional rule is that if you are signing off a letter where you know the person's name (ie Dear Mr Bloggs) then you use 'yours sincerely' and if you don't (ie Dear Sir/Madam) then you use 'yours faithfully'.
I still use these, but they are considered a bit old fashioned (esp faithfully) - so 'yours sincerely' for all formal letters would be OK. Depends how much of a stickler you are - I'm a bit of a stickler for the 'proper form'!
2006-06-28 04:23:36 · answer #3 · answered by peggy*moo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Two 'S's dont go together, this is the way I remember it. So if you are writing Dear Sir you sign Yours faithfully but if you know the person's name and you start with Dear Mr Bloggs you sign Yours sincerely. This is how I was taught at typing school but of course in e-mails nowadays anything goes. As a general rule I should only sign Yours sincerely if you are writing to a person and not an organisation. I dont think it matters whether or not you know them.
2006-06-28 04:26:55 · answer #4 · answered by Solitaire 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A formal letter starting with Dear Sir of Dear Madame should be signed off 'Yours faithfully'.
A business letter of a less formal nature which starts off with Dear Mr / Mrs / Miss followed by the persons name, e.g. 'Dear Mrs Jones', should be signed off 'Yours sincerely'.
'Kind regards' is only appropriate to someone that you know, perhaps a work colleague, on a reasonably informal letter or e-mail, never on a formal letter.
2006-06-28 06:50:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Letters yes. Emails, are a different thing somewhat, and can be signed a little more creatively. But an email to a client or a boss still gets a 'yours sincerely'. It's respectful and formal.
Good luck.
2006-06-28 04:22:57 · answer #6 · answered by smile4763 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Should a formal letter always be signed 'Yours sincerely'?
I usually sign e-mails and letters 'Kind regards' but when is it appropriate to end a letter 'Yours sincerely'. I seem to remember being taught that you should do this, only if you know or have had correspondence with that person before.
2015-08-16 16:56:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Signing Off A Letter
2016-10-02 01:44:18 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the person you're writing to knows you, then yes, a formal letter should be signed off Yours sincerely", but if they don't know you, then you sign off with "Yours faithfully". If you think that because they don't know you they have to have faith in your sincerity, then it's easier to remember.
2006-06-28 04:32:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi, you should sign off 'yours sincerely' if you have not met the person. You should use 'yours faithfully' if you have knowledge of a person. Yours truly if you are friends.
2006-06-28 04:27:38 · answer #10 · answered by Camden 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋