Recently I was proof reading an email that a coworker was going to send to a superior and I pointed out that the valediction wasn't capitalized. He said it didn't need to be because it was the start of a phrase or clause and not a sentence, and that people only do it because other people do it. But in the back recesses of my mind I'm thinking that there is a rule that says that it should be capitalized.
Is my coworker right and capitalization is unnecessary in this case? If I'm correct, what rule or guide can I point to, to prove my stance?
(T/t)hanks,
Jeremy
Best Answer
It ought to be capitalized, although it depends somewhat on what form it takes. The general rationale is that 'Yours' or 'Yours Truly' is a formalized abbreviation of a much longer and more elaborate 'Your true, humble, devoted servant yadda yadda yadda.' Since it's not actually a clause, as he's claiming, but rather a formalized abbreviation, it ought to be capitalized to indicate the use of the convention. However, if he's using something like 'thanks' or another less formal choice, this is somewhat less applicable (and potentially indicative of an unwise lack of formality in a business setting).