Deliberate politeness can look extremely impolite. How to avoid it? We share the advice of experts in the field of etiquette.
Stop writing "Best wishes!" at the end of the letter. Yes, this signature looks harmless. You really only want the best for the respondent. But times are changing, and such formulas of politeness have become redundant.
According to University of Pennsylvania researchers who have been studying the issue since 2003, the social norm has changed relatively recently. Now only 5% of e-mails end with such wishes. Often credited with "Thank you!" or "Respectfully!" .
E-mail became widespread in the 90s, and most users immediately abandoned the formalities - and politeness formulas at the end of messages. According to business etiquette coach Barbara Patcher, "It was more like a note." From the Los Angeles webpage Times University of California sociologist Neil Schmegler predicts that with the development of electronic technologies, paper correspondence will finally become a thing of the past.
But over time, emails took over the functions of paper letters, and people returned to the familiar norms of business correspondence. Pachter says, "There's a whole hierarchy of closing signatures." So what to choose? "Sincerely"? Bad stamp. "Heart greetings"? Too emotional. "Thanks"? A good option, but it is often chosen where gratitude is not required at all. "Sincerely, yours" - did you really wholeheartedly, sincerely attach each of these files?
The problem with "all the best" is that it says nothing to the respondent at all. According to business ethics consultant Judith Kallos, "This is a nonsensical formula of speech used when there is nothing to say." Other experts are not so categorical: they call it "harmless", "correct", "decent" or "nothing". Liz Danziko, director at a PR agency NPR says: "Recently, 'All the best' has usually meant polite indifference - but now it can mean a veiled insult or threat."
"Best Wishes" are dotted with letters written several centuries ago. In the Anglo-Saxon tradition, the stamp appeared in 1922. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, this was facilitated by Francis Scott Fitzgerald, who wrote to literary critic Edmond Wilson, "Zelda sends you her best wishes." The formula became widespread and ended its life only at the end of 1968, when Larry King received an official message ending with "Good luck, Billy." Such letters strained already then, and even sharp-tongued Larry King said that it was too familiar.
Politeness formulas have been rooted in languages for centuries. In 1922, Emily Post, one of the pillars of the science of etiquette, wrote:
“The British began to get rid of embellishments in letters as early as the 18th century. They limited themselves to “Yours Sincerely.”
In the age of the Internet, the tradition continues. People avoid both familiarity and expressions of affection and use as many neutral wording at the end of the letter. According to the survey, 75% of people prefer "Thank you!" or "Good luck!". However, many recognize that this is not the best choice - but they are forced to comply with the new social norm.
If not "with best wishes", then how?
No way. Don't use polite formulas in signatures at all. With the spread of services like Slack, email has become like instant messengers. Barbara Patchet says: "Emails have become less formal." Now, in letters to friends or good acquaintances, final formulas are not used - it is believed that this is the same archaism as voice messages. Politeness formulas only slow down the correspondence. Liz Danziko comments: "People don't talk like that." She herself puts an end to the end of e-mails - business and personal. Without a signature.
In both business and friendly correspondence, it is important to know how to finish a letter in English. If you want to present yourself as an educated person, then you should not neglect the established rules of correspondence.
Please note: farewell in a letter written in English is put on a new line after the letter itself.
Business letter ending
When you use the following expressions, you mean "sincerely yours":
- Sincerely
- Sincerely yours
- Most sincerely
- Yours faithfully
- Yours truly
Gratitude (for the attention paid to reading the letter) can be expressed using the standard Thank you or Thank you for your consideration (thanks for considering this issue).
business letter example
A letter to a friend
It is difficult to draw a clear line between the formal and informal end of the letter, because people who are in a work correspondence can have friendly relations and put a “warmer” farewell at the end of the letter.
At the end of the letter, you can hint at the next conversation or meeting. The presence of the personal pronoun "I" already indicates a more personal form of address.
Here are some phrases with the expression to look forward (expect):
- I am looking forward to meeting you
- I am looking forward to hearing from you
Analogues of the Russian “with respect” will be the expressions:
- Regards
- kind regards;
- Best regards
- Respectfully
And a more cordial expression of Cordially. The phrase "best wishes" can be displayed using Best wishes. The following are examples of goodbyes at the end of a letter that you can write to a loved one:
- Cheers
- Warmly
- Always
- Later
- Till next time
- take care
- Write soon
- kisses
Very personal expressions for saying goodbye to a loved one in a letter can be:
- Affectionately yours
- Yours forever
- Passionately yours
- your darling
- Longing to see you
Tip: not everyone knows how to sign a letter in English correctly - leave a comma after parting, and then write your name on a new line, while you can indent a few lines.
Phrases for ending an informal letter
Examples of letters
Look at examples of letter excerpts with different farewell options, pay attention to the style of writing and the corresponding farewell.
- Please let me know if you have any comments on the video I sent you. During the next few weeks we will be adding new videos to the website. I would really like to know what you think of them.
Sincerely yours,
(Please let me know if you have any comments on the video I sent you. We will be adding more videos to the site over the next few weeks. I would love to know what you think of them.)
- I was waiting for your reply since Monday but obviously you have a lot on your plate right now. Anyway, I`m going to visit you next week and we will have a chance to chat.
(I've been waiting for your reply since Monday, but obviously you're very busy right now. Anyway, I'm going to visit you next week and we'll have a chance to chat.)
- I will be grateful if you would send me the price-list on your new products. Please specify the terms of the delivery and the possible discount. Thank you in advance.
Faithfully yours,
Dylan Park.
(I would be grateful if you could send me a price list for your new products. Please indicate the delivery time and possible discount. Thanks in advance.)
- If you require any further information I will be happy to provide it. Do not hesitate to contact me and clarify any details.
most sincerely,
James Burton.
(If you need more information, I'll be happy to provide it. Feel free to contact me for any details.)
- Mike, I'm still waiting for the pictures you promised to send me last month. Oh, by the way, my sister says "Hi".
(Mike, I'm still waiting for the photo you promised to send last month. Oh, by the way, my sister says hi.)
Words and expressions
It's time to improve your vocabulary. Read and memorize the following expressions:
- To let know - inform;
- To send - send;
- To think of smth. - to think about something;
- Obviously - obviously;
- To have a lot on plate - have a lot of things to do;
- To specify - indicate, determine;
- Discount - discount;
- In advance - in advance;
- To require - require;
- To provide - provide;
- Delivery - delivery;
- Possible - possible;
- To clarify - clarify;
- To hesitate - hesitate, be shy;
- To promise - to promise.
Remember that it is up to you whether the end of a letter in English will simply serve as its actual completion or have additional meaning, so it is so important to choose the right words at the end to leave the reader with the impression you need.
By the way, in the last sentence, it will never be superfluous to thank the reader for their attention, and if this is a person close to you, then finish the letter with warm and friendly words, reminding him of how much you miss him and how glad you will be to receive an answer. Here are some more tips for writing letters:
The article offers you clichés and phrase templates to help you write a letter in English.
In the modern world, few people do not know English, because it is international and mandatory for study in schools, technical schools and universities. English is useful to everyone during travel, in professional activities and in cases of communication with foreigners.
IMPORTANT: Social networks have swallowed up the whole world and no one is surprised by the letter that came from the "other side of the world." To start a conversation with a person and write a letter correctly, the tips proposed in this article will help you. Here you will find examples of introductory and general phrases, greetings and farewells.
Starting a letter can be very difficult. It is important to choose beautiful words to interest your interlocutor and win him over. It doesn’t matter who you are addressing, to a friend, a friend, a boyfriend or girlfriend you like, a distant relative, the main thing is to know common address, which are like universal cliché, suitable for any letter.
Like any letter, a letter in English must have three main parts:
- Welcome and Introduction
- Main (main) part
- Final part, farewell
Phrases for writing to a friend, girlfriend in English: a list with translation
It does not matter what the essence of your letter will be, whether it will be a letter of recognition, greeting, farewell or invitation. You should fill it with general phrases that will allow you to clearly state all thoughts and words. Take advantage of the established clichés suggested in this article.
How to finish a letter in English to a friend, girlfriend: rules
You should also end the letter beautifully, using farewell phrases. You should thank your interlocutor for sending a letter or write that you are looking forward to a response from him.
How to write a letter to a friend, girlfriend in English: a template for a finished letter
Ready-made examples will help you write a letter correctly and beautifully, where you can trace the use of all introductory phrases and use your own according to this example.
Examples of prepared letters:
How will "Respectfully" in English in a letter to a friend, girlfriend?
Your signature at the end of the letter is a characteristic feature that will not only testify to your good manners, but also that you own all the rules for writing a correct letter.
An example of a letter to a friend, girlfriend in English with translation
Use the examples of letters in English, which are presented only with translations. So you can focus on introductory clichés and know exactly their meanings.
Deliberate politeness can look extremely impolite. How to avoid it? We share the advice of experts in the field of etiquette.
Stop writing "Best wishes!" at the end of the letter. Yes, this signature looks harmless. You really only want the best for the respondent. But times are changing, and such formulas of politeness have become redundant.
According to University of Pennsylvania researchers who have been studying the issue since 2003, the social norm has changed relatively recently. Now only 5% of e-mails end with such wishes. Often credited with "Thank you!" or "Respectfully!" .
E-mail became widespread in the 90s, and most users immediately abandoned the formalities - and politeness formulas at the end of messages. According to business etiquette coach Barbara Patcher, "It was more like a note." From the Los Angeles webpage Times University of California sociologist Neil Schmegler predicts that with the development of electronic technologies, paper correspondence will finally become a thing of the past.
But over time, emails took over the functions of paper letters, and people returned to the familiar norms of business correspondence. Pachter says, "There's a whole hierarchy of closing signatures." So what to choose? "Sincerely"? Bad stamp. "Heart greetings"? Too emotional. "Thanks"? A good option, but it is often chosen where gratitude is not required at all. "Sincerely, yours" - did you really wholeheartedly, sincerely attach each of these files?
The problem with "all the best" is that it says nothing to the respondent at all. According to business ethics consultant Judith Kallos, "This is a nonsensical formula of speech used when there is nothing to say." Other experts are not so categorical: they call it "harmless", "correct", "decent" or "nothing". Liz Danziko, director at a PR agency NPR says: "Recently, 'All the best' has usually meant polite indifference - but now it can mean a veiled insult or threat."
"Best Wishes" are dotted with letters written several centuries ago. In the Anglo-Saxon tradition, the stamp appeared in 1922. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, this was facilitated by Francis Scott Fitzgerald, who wrote to literary critic Edmond Wilson, "Zelda sends you her best wishes." The formula became widespread and ended its life only at the end of 1968, when Larry King received an official message ending with "Good luck, Billy." Such letters strained already then, and even sharp-tongued Larry King said that it was too familiar.
Politeness formulas have been rooted in languages for centuries. In 1922, Emily Post, one of the pillars of the science of etiquette, wrote:
“The British began to get rid of embellishments in letters as early as the 18th century. They limited themselves to “Yours Sincerely.”
In the age of the Internet, the tradition continues. People avoid both familiarity and expressions of affection and use as many neutral wording at the end of the letter. According to the survey, 75% of people prefer "Thank you!" or "Good luck!". However, many recognize that this is not the best choice - but they are forced to comply with the new social norm.
If not "with best wishes", then how?
No way. Don't use polite formulas in signatures at all. With the spread of services like Slack, email has become like instant messengers. Barbara Patchet says: "Emails have become less formal." Now, in letters to friends or good acquaintances, final formulas are not used - it is believed that this is the same archaism as voice messages. Politeness formulas only slow down the correspondence. Liz Danziko comments: "People don't talk like that." She herself puts an end to the end of e-mails - business and personal. Without a signature.
Tired of “Respectfully yours” and want something new? The MediaDigger team, a platform that automates the storage of a database of contacts and makes it possible to send bulk personalized letters through it, has made a selection of alternative signatures that you can use to end your email. After all, in spite of everything, email is still the main way of business communication:
1. Sincerely- For lovers of the classics. The safest option.
2. Sincerely yours- There is something in this, but not everyone can afford such a signature. You have to be and look a certain way.
3. Best regards– Slightly less formal and applicable in a business letter.
4. Just enter a name- Quite suitable, especially in cases where there is an active exchange of letters.
5. Your initials- Also acceptable, but the question arises why it was impossible to simply write your name in full, and an unpleasant aftertaste remains.
6. Have a nice day- For the final letter, when you don’t expect to hear anything else from the interlocutor during the day, it’s quite suitable.
7. Have a nice week- The same as “have a good day”, only if you don’t communicate anymore during the week.
8. Best regards– English version of “respectfully”. The most secure for business communication. Some Russian speakers only use this signature. In principle, this is acceptable, but if you communicate a lot with foreigners and everyone knows this. Otherwise it looks a little strange.
9. Kind regards- The same as best regards, but a little less formal.
10. With friendly regards“Never seen this, but heard about it. One would like to say that they called from the 70s and asked to return the signature to them.
11. See you soon- In case you agreed to meet in the near future and emphasize that you remember about it.
12. Good luck in your hard work!- Such a signature can be used when you tried to help someone (or failed to do it), and you are trying to somehow cheer up the interlocutor.
13. Sent from Iphone- You can somehow explain why there may be typos in the letter, but it may seem that you are showing off your phone model.
14. Sent from smartphone– Safer than “sent from Iphone”: the interlocutor understands that you wrote from the phone and the auto-corrector could make typos, while you don’t brag about your phone.
15. Thank you for your attention- This phrase is better left for those who are trying to sell you something.
16. Thank you- If you are really grateful, then you can. But you should not sign every letter like this when you give someone an instruction. It will give an orderly tone.
17. With perfect respect For those who like to stand out. A little bit romantic.
18. Please think about nature before you print this letter.“First of all, don’t blame anyone. Secondly, this inscription can sometimes be longer than the text of the letter itself. Thirdly, does anyone else print letters now?
19. Ready for service– Hmmm. Simply no.
20. With love- Nice and acceptable if you've known each other for a long time.
21. Good luck- It's more suitable if you do not expect to communicate with someone in the near future.
22. Kiss hard- Suitable for relatives and loved ones.
23. With paternal tenderness- You can, but only if you are really a father and only learned what the Internet is.
24. Yours forever- It is better to leave for the registry office.
25. Have a nice weekend- This is usually written by those who diligently try to spoil them for you, sending a letter at the end of the working day on Friday indicating the things that need to be done. In general, it is possible, but when you do not burden someone, otherwise it smacks of sarcasm.
26. Hearty greetings- It is permissible in the event that you previously addressed each other as “comrade”, everyone else is not.
27. Your obedient servant- Strongly smacks of toadying and it's hard to imagine a situation where it would really be appropriate.
28. Sincerely devoted to you- The same problems as "Your Obedient Servant".
29. Looking forward to further fruitful cooperation- A little long, but acceptable, for example, for the first letter when writing to a stranger.
30. Kiss- If you write to your other half, then it is permissible.
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