Learn English – Meaning of various valedictions or closing expressions

differencesmeaningpolitenessvaledictionwriting

Related to, but I believe distinct from, the following questions:

What do various valedictions mean in the context of a written (business) letter, and what do the following typically convey?

  1. Best,

    Best what? Is this short for best wishes or best regards? If this is a shortening of the phrase, is it rude?

  2. Regards,

    Also unclear what this means in a valediction. Does this mean I'm thinking of you?

  3. Best Regards,

  4. Cordially,

  5. Good Wishes,

  6. Many Thanks,

    Is this more or less formal than "thanks"?

  7. Thanks,

    Am I right that this is a rude way to close a letter?

  8. Most Sincerely,

    Is this expression too much?

  9. Sincerely,

  10. Thank You,

  11. Yours truly,

Best Answer

I end almost all my emails with one word only: "Bill". When I applied for a teaching job last year, I ended it with "Sincerely yours," & when I send letters to some clients, I end them with "Bill Franke, Medical Editor". "Thanks; Many Thanks; Best; & Regards" are all informal but not rude. They're not my style, so I never use them. All the rest but #8 are formal & polite, & they're appropriate for business letters: but different countries have different styles. "Most sincerely" is obsequious & should always be avoided: you're either sincere or not sincere, never some degree of sincere.

All valedictions mean the same thing: "Bye-bye. Letter's over. Hope you like what I said and that you hire me or buy my product or give me whatever else I asked for." They're just socially approved formulas for various types of letters. Check a How to Write a Business Letter manual for the countries you want to send letters to. You'll see that styles differ for the UK, the USA, and Hong Kong. Use the one that's appropriate for the letter you're writing.

There are others that are popular, e.g., "Yours faithfully" (a UK valediction, I believe)

Related Topic