Business Writing

Talk, tips, and best picks for writers on the job.

Syntax Training | Lynn Gaertner-Johnston
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January 21, 2006
With Best Wishes
UPDATED IN DECEMBER 2016
Many people visit this site in search of answers to their etiquette questions. One popular query is "How do I end a letter?"
Another is "Is Best regards acceptable?"
It's the "complimentary close" or "complimentary closing" that business writers are wondering about, those phrases that
come before the signature in a letter. The complimentary closes below are listed from (1) very formal to (14) very warm.
1. Very truly yours,
2. Respectfully,
3. Yours truly,
4. Sincerely yours,
5. Sincerely,
6. Best regards,
7. Kind regards,
8. With thanks,
9. Best wishes,
10. Cordially,
11. Warm wishes,
12. Warm regards,
13. Warmly,
14. Affectionately,
All of the complimentary closes above are acceptable. You can choose among them based on your taste and the type of
business letter. A letter informing someone of a job layoff might use "Sincerely yours." Congratulations on a retirement
might end with "Warm wishes." If you're not sure which close fits your letter, choose "Sincerely."
"Best regards" has become more and more common, and it may soon eclipse "Sincerely" in popularity. "Regards" is the
minimalist version. I don't use "Regards" because it seems curt rather than friendly.
"Cordially" means "warmly" and "sincerely," but the word feels too reserved to me. I prefer "Warm wishes" or "Sincerely,"
which both feel warmer. But it's a question of preference--not appropriateness. I simply don't prefer "Cordially."
"With many thanks" has its proper place. However, the words "Thank you" are not a complimentary close--they are part
of a sentence. They belong in the body of the letter fleshed out and with a period at the end, like this example: "Again,
thank you for helping me with the auction."
Do not use "Kindly" as a close. If you like the word kind, choose "Kind regards."
Of course, "Affectionately" would be right only in a very close business relationship. "XOXO"? Only if you dare!
***********************************
To master the details of courteous, relationship-building writing, get my book Business Writing With Heart: How to
Build Great Work Relationships One Message at a Time. You can get a signed, personalized paperback with a
laminated bookmark from my website. Or get it for your Kindle (from Amazon) or your Nook (from Barnes & Noble).
Get a free Kindle app.
***********************************
The proper close for a letter of sympathy or condolence is one of these, or something similar:
In deepest sympathy,
With our condolences,
In sympathy,
Very sincerely,
As you have probably noticed, only the first word of the complimentary close is capitalized, despite the title of this post.
In business writing classes, people have asked, "Do I have to write Sincerely if I can't stand the person and I don't feel
sincere?" The answer is yes. "Sincerely" is a much more gracious close than "Spitefully" or "With strong malice." (Note: I
am joking. The two previous closes would never be used in a business letter.) Besides, "Sincerely" communicates positive
energy and a knowledge of proper etiquette.
If you would like to have someone edit or proofread your business letters, please ask my partner, Scribendi. I do not
provide this service, but Scribendi does excellent, fast work.
Warm regards,
Lynn
Syntax Training
January 21, 2006 in Etiquette, Frequently Asked Questions, Writing Tips | Permalink

Comments

Hello lynn,

This blog of yours is great!

I am a student from the netherlands, forced to do job-applications in english, beceause the man doing the meetings is italian.
This was very helpfull!
Thanks again,

Respectfully,

Daan Beijers

p.s. I got the Job!

Posted by: Daan | June 16, 2007 at 01:15 AM

Thanks for the compliment, and congratulations!

Posted by: Lynn | June 16, 2007 at 07:42 AM

i want to formal best free greetings sample

Posted by: bari | June 22, 2007 at 10:05 PM

Bari, please scroll through this blog under the category "Etiquette." You will find examples of greetings. They are often called
"salutations."

Posted by: Lynn | June 26, 2007 at 11:06 PM

Dear Lynn,
I have the following question:
-------------------------------
I wrote like this to an employer whose name is Em-LastName Em-FirstName (Em-means Employer's)

Dear Sir:

Yours faithfully,
my-LastName my-FirstName (i.e I wrote my full name)
--------------------------------
I received a reply from the employer like this:

Dear Mr. my-LastName

With Best Wishes

Em-FirstName
---------------------------------

The question is in my reply, what should I use:

For example: Should I follow the same way the employer addresses and end the letter?
Thank you.

Posted by: Steven | July 26, 2007 at 06:26 PM

Steven, you do not need to do exactly what the employer did. In fact, his capitalization and lack of punctuation on the closing are both
not standard (that is, considered wrong).
I do not know which country you live in, but in the U.S. and Canada "Yours faithfully" is old-fashioned. I would suggest "Sincerely" or
"With best wishes," which the employer used.

I am a bit perplexed about "Your last name, your first name." You should both type and sign your name with first name first. Maybe I
misunderstood what you meant.

As the employer becomes less formal, you may become less formal--unless you are 21 and the employer is 45+. In general, follow the
employer's lead.

I hope that helps!

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn | July 26, 2007 at 07:49 PM

I was once told by an Englishman that he was taught never to sign an anonymous Dear Sir or Madam letter "sincerely" but rather
"yours faithfully". So this may be English style.

Personally, I am a fan of simply signing "best wishes", but am beginning to doubt my choice as I have a lot of ESL students who tend to
copy my signature and this tends to be a bit too greeting card-like for more formal correspondence. So it was with interest that I landed
on your comments regarding with best wishes. Maybe I'll switch to warm or fuzzy wishes to make clear that I'm a bit off...
Posted by: Steve | October 15, 2007 at 06:04 AM

Steve, I love "Warm and fuzzy wishes"! Let's just hope your ESL students don't follow your lead!
Lynn

Posted by: Lynn | October 17, 2007 at 11:35 AM

Hello Lynn,
I was looking for some inspiration, when I came across "Spitefully" or "With strong malice". I have not laughed for a long time as hard
as about this. "Sincerely" is definitely better! Thanks for not only great tips but also to make me laugh!
Viktorija

Posted by: Viktorija | December 05, 2007 at 11:34 AM

Hello Lynn,
I have a question in regards to a complimentary close when writing a letter to a customer who has presented a dishonoured cheque to
our company.
It is standard practice to give the customer 2 weeks to rectify the problem before we take the matter further.

Is it okay, considering the customer is receiving the benefit of the doubt for the 2 weeks that a mistake may have occured, to close the
letter with "regards" (even though you don't like it). A collegue suggested "yours faithfully" but I haven't heard of that closing in a long
time.
Any suggestions?

Posted by: Katherine | April 14, 2008 at 04:16 AM

Katherine, I think "Regards" is fine in your situation. In fact, I am warming to that closing for general use. "Yours faithfully" seems old-
fashioned, in part because I have never seen it used in business.

Lynn
Posted by: Lynn | April 15, 2008 at 03:25 PM

Dear Lynn,
How long has "warm wishes" been around? For me that sounds very personal and I would never feel comfortable ending a business
letter with it. How common is that?
Sincerely,
Jojo

Posted by: jojo | June 08, 2008 at 05:24 PM

Hi, Jojo. I don't know how long "Warm wishes" has been around. It is not for use as a closing to a stranger. It's for warm relationships. I
use it when I close letters or emails to clients I know well, especially when I am saying thank you to them.
My best,

Lynn
Posted by: Lynn | June 09, 2008 at 07:45 AM

Hello Lynn,
I have a question about how to end a Birthday Card for my English teacher he is from England.

As he is my favorite teacher,I would like to use "Your loving student" as a closing.

Could you give me an advice?
Thank you.
Posted by: snoo | June 11, 2008 at 04:13 AM

It is very thoughtful of you to send or give a birthday card to your teacher from England. You can close with one of these phrases: "Best
wishes," "Warm wishes," or "Very best wishes."
"Your loving . . . " is not appropriate to a teacher. It suggests devotion and intimacy that are a step beyond the teacher-student
relationship. It would be correct for your husband, husband to be, father, grandfather, uncle, or brother (or for women in similar roles).
Lynn

Posted by: Lynn | June 11, 2008 at 06:52 AM

We learned recently that a neighborhood friend/acquaintance has been diagnoses with a terminal illness. Can you provide an example
of an appropriate closings for a handwritten note that I am leaving in a card?

Posted by: SS | June 11, 2008 at 09:56 AM

The closing of such a delicate, important message should complement what you say in it. Here are some possibilities:
Sincerely,
Warmest wishes,
Wishing you peace,
All my best wishes,
Thinking of you,
Warmly,

I hope those help.

Posted by: Lynn | June 15, 2008 at 11:10 PM

What about when someone ends an e-mail with "thanks".

Like:

Please check price and availiability of the parts listed.

Thanks,
George
I find it a bit presumptuous. However, if it accepted these days, I guess I'll live with it. What d'ya'll think?

Posted by: rick | September 14, 2008 at 11:01 PM

Rick, I think that use of "Thanks" is fine. George starts with "Please" and ends with "Thanks"--very polite.

If it seems presumptuous to you, think of it as "Thanks for considering my request." Or if George is your boss, "Thanks for handling
this."

Lynn
Posted by: Lynn | September 15, 2008 at 08:06 PM

George,
Like you, I find a closing 'Thanks' presumptuous at worst and carelessly dismissive at best. I am disappointed that Lynn should find it
acceptable, but not surprised as the standard of communication in email is generally appalling, 'ain't it?
However I am surprised that Lynn should think 'Yours faithfully' has fallen out of general usage in business correspondence. I see it
used daily in letters to this office, and it is certainly the correct 'complimentary close' when corresponding with 'Sir', 'Madam', or even
'To whom it may concern'.
Chris

Posted by: Chris | September 17, 2008 at 03:17 AM

George, I beg your pardon - I meant Rick!

(Curses, the morale high ground is lost through carelessness once again...)
Posted by: Chris | September 17, 2008 at 03:20 AM
Hi, Chris. Where do you work that such a formal close as "Yours faithfully" is typical?
Here's what Peggy Post, the etiquette expert, has to say about the closings in her book "Emily Post's Etiquette":
"'Faithfully' and 'Faithfully yours' are rarely used but are appropriate on very formal social correspondence--letters to a high member of
the clergy, a member of the U.S. Cabinet, an ambassador, or anyone holding an equally important post."

I don't correspond socially with such a lofty group--and I have never seen "Yours faithfully" used in business correspondence.
On the subject of "Thanks," when we get irritated because someone closes a message with that word, something else is going on. It's not
about the close--it's about the relationship.
Lynn

Posted by: Lynn | September 17, 2008 at 09:18 AM

Hi Lynn,

Here in the UK it is correct to close business letters where the name of the recipient is not known with Yours faithfully. Where the
recipients name is known you would end Yours sincerely. The use of punctuation here, eg Dear Mr Smith, and Yours sincerely, seems to
be classed now as wrong - although I still use it myself. It seems though, that in electronic communications any ending will do. So...
All the best,

Les H.

Posted by: Les Hampton | October 03, 2008 at 07:22 AM

Les, thanks for your input. I always appreciate learning what is correct across the oceans.

I am looking for a manual to help me with UK writing style and will probably get the "Oxford Style Manual." However, I do not know
whether it includes advice on business letters and email. Can you recommend a guide?
Lynn

Posted by: Lynn | October 06, 2008 at 12:32 PM

Your blog has been very helpful! Thank you!

Posted by: R | October 22, 2008 at 11:14 AM

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing in the hope that you will able to give me some information about busines letter.
It would be better if you send me an example for me.
I have to write a letter to my manager (who is on an extended business trip)
I would like to inform him that I wish to apply for a post in another department of the company.
Also, I have to explain the reason why I am applying.
Also, I have to ask him to recommend me for the post.
I hope you can help me.
Yours faithfully,
Vitaliy
Posted by: Vitaliy | November 01, 2008 at 10:11 AM

Interesting discussion. I routinely use 'Yours faithfully,', but I am an English Doctor. The standard rule here is that if you do not know
the recipient or only know them formally (for example, you would not address them in person using their Christian name), 'Yours
faithfully,' is more suitable than any of the other options. That said, a review of the letters on my desk and they are all signed off with
'Yours sincerely,'.

Posted by: Dr Brad | November 05, 2008 at 08:45 AM

Do I use Congratulations or Best Wishes as a greeting on a Baby Shower Gift Card?

Posted by: Stephanie | November 17, 2008 at 06:10 AM

Congratulations.

Posted by: Lynn | November 19, 2008 at 02:12 PM

I am making out Christmas cards and have a question. I would like to say "Merry Christmas and Warmest wishes to all from OUR
NAME" Do I capitalize wishes, or even warmest?

Thanks!

Posted by: Rhonda | December 07, 2008 at 12:42 PM

Rhonda, don't capitalize "warmest" or "wishes." There is no reason to do so.

Posted by: Lynn | December 08, 2008 at 04:43 PM

I need to write a short dedication to a business partner on the event of initiating a new program. The note will be placed on a small gift.
Will it be okay to write:
We value our partnership with you and look forward to a rewarding successful program.

Posted by: Rebecca | February 01, 2009 at 08:18 AM

Yes, that sentiment is fine. Insert a comma after the word "rewarding."

Posted by: Lynn | February 06, 2009 at 02:32 PM

Dear Lynn,

Thank you very much for this concise, but a very practical blog.
In 4 minutes, which I have spent reading the text above, I have learned something valuable.

Many thanks and best Christmas Wishes!

Sergey
Posted by: Sergey | December 16, 2009 at 09:03 PM

Sergey, best wishes to you too!

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | December 21, 2009 at 10:29 AM

Hi Lynn,

What u think about 'Thanks & Regards' used together?

Posted by: vaibhav | January 24, 2010 at 10:43 PM

can i end my email as below,

Greetings, Brinda

Posted by: Brinda | May 13, 2010 at 05:02 AM

Hi, Brinda. "Greetings" is more likely to be a message opener than a close. I wouldn't use it at the end of an email.

Vaibhav, I am sorry I missed your message. "Thanks and regards" is acceptable. However, I would prefer stating a sincere thank-you in
a sentence rather than just tacking one onto a close.

Note that "regards" is not capitalized. Only capitalize the first word of the close.

Lynn
Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | May 15, 2010 at 11:22 AM

Dear Lynn,
If I'm ending an email with: "Have a good day", what's the best punctuation?

Thanks in advance,

Mohamed

Posted by: Mohamed | June 04, 2010 at 09:11 AM

"Have a good day" should be followed by a period or an exclamation point. The exclamation point makes it a friendly shout.

Have a good day.

Have a good day!
Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | June 06, 2010 at 08:32 AM

Hi,

A co-worker insists that using a semi-colon is acceptable in a complimentary closing. I disagree and feel that a comma is the
appropriate punctuation after Sincerely yours. I'd love to hear your opinion.

Sincerely yours,
Mary

Posted by: Mary Carballal | July 08, 2010 at 07:36 AM

Mary, your coworker is wrong. Ask him or her to cite a reference book published in the last 25 years to support that semicolon. Your
request should end the discussion.

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | July 08, 2010 at 09:54 AM

Could you please add some "Reasons for writing"

Posted by: Ahmed Hamdy | October 01, 2010 at 10:14 AM

Hi, Ahmed. I am afraid I do not understand your comment. Please explain.

Lynn
Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | October 01, 2010 at 03:59 PM

Dear Lynn
In signature "Regards" whould be with a capital "R" or otherwise?
Omer

Posted by: ome rhamdani | November 09, 2010 at 01:44 AM

You are correct. The closing looks like this:

Regards,

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | November 09, 2010 at 10:30 PM

What is the write word to start an email, to be sent to more than one recipient.

"Dear Concerned"
Or
"Dear Concerns"

Regards

Posted by: Omer | November 10, 2010 at 11:50 PM

Omer, I would not use either of your choices.

The appropriate greeting depends on the audience, your relationship with them, and your reason for writing. Here are three
possibilities:
Dear Team,

To all program attendees:

Hello, everyone.
Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | November 13, 2010 at 08:52 AM

If its an official email & addressed to seniors, will Dear team be appropriate ?

Posted by: Omer | November 15, 2010 at 01:42 AM

Omer, if you mean senior executives, "Dear Executive Team" would probably work.

If you mean senior citizens, "team" would not work. You would have to think of a category that suits your readers.

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | November 15, 2010 at 01:42 PM

I meant Senior executives from different departments, addressed by a single email.

Posted by: Omer | December 07, 2010 at 04:08 AM

Response awaited please!

Posted by: Omer | December 13, 2010 at 12:23 AM

Omer, you asked whether "Dear Team" would be appropriate, and you added that they are senior executives.

I suggested "Dear Executive Team." Is there some other information you are seeking?
If they regard themselves as an executive team, the greeting is appropriate. If they do not regard themselves as a team, "Dear
Executives" may be the better choice.

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | December 15, 2010 at 03:15 PM

Lynn,

Can I end up with "Great day(s)" "Good day(s)" or "Blessings"

in business Emails.
Thanks!

Posted by: Alexis | December 16, 2010 at 06:40 PM

Hi, Alexis. In the United States, "Blessings" is not something you will see at the end of business emails--unless you work in a church or
a spiritual organization. I do not know whether people in other countries use such a close.

"Have a great day" and "Have a good day" are acceptable closes on friendly emails. "Great day" and "Good day" do not seem complete.

Lynn
Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | December 21, 2010 at 07:37 AM

Hi Lynn,
I want to write a formal Christmas message to some top managers. Can you please give me an example?

Posted by: onur | December 22, 2010 at 10:30 PM

Onur, think about what you want to say to the top managers. Then look at my posts "Holiday Greetings Made Easy" and "Sending
Holiday Greetings" for examples of appropriate language. (Insert those titles or the word "Christmas" in the search box on this site, and
you will find the posts.)

Good luck!
Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | December 23, 2010 at 08:04 AM

Dear Lynn
Hope things are well, thanks for your kind response you have been indeed very help full.

At work, sometimes I have to send a single email to more than one reciepant(addressed to venders to my company), can i start my
email with "Gentlemen", if not kindly suggest otherwise.
thanks
Omer

Posted by: Omer | January 30, 2011 at 01:55 AM

Hi, Omer. The gentlewomen you write to will not appreciate "Gentlemen." You might try one of these:

Dear Vendor,
Dear Business Partner,
Greetings!
Please search this blog under "email salutations" for more ideas.

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | January 30, 2011 at 02:30 PM

Birenda, I suggest this version of your message:

"Hearty congratulations and best wishes to ______ Bank for your 25 years of banking excellence."
Points:
1. You can use "glorious," but it is a strong word. "Excellence" may be enough to express the positive feeling.
2. Note the spelling of "excellence."
3. Leave out the quotation marks, of course.

What a good idea to send a note!

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | February 21, 2011 at 07:28 AM

Hello Lynn,

Thanks for your website. There is a lot of very helpful information here.
I started wondering whether it is acceptable to use 'Best regards'. To be honest I have never seen an email using 'Yours sincerely' - but I
still feel slightly unsure when I'm writing to someone I don't know.

I think I'll stick to 'Best regards'.

I do have one question: in the UK most people use Ms, Mrs, Mr without the full-stop. Would you consider that acceptable? Mrs. seems
old-fashioned to me.

Thank you very much.

And now my favourite complementary closing:

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to you the assurance of my highest consideration,
Chris

(From Fowler's excellent guide to Modern English, found at University of Birmingham, Dr(.?) Mark Lee)

Posted by: Chris | February 27, 2011 at 02:42 PM

Hi, Chris. Thanks for stopping by with comments and questions.

"Best regards" is fine as a complimentary close. The formal "Yours sincerely" is not common these days, even in letters. I would not use
it in email.

I am afraid I am not an expert on communication in the UK, so I cannot comment on the absence of full stops with Mr, Ms, and Mrs.

The complimentary closing you shared from "Fowler" is wonderful. Thank you!

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | February 28, 2011 at 09:47 AM

When following up with someone after a networking event, can you please tell me the best way to congratulate someone on the pending
birth of a baby girl (the couple's first child)? Many thanks.

Beverly
Atlanta

Posted by: Beverly | March 08, 2011 at 09:02 AM

Hi, Beverly. Try this:

Congratulations on the pending birth of your first child.

You might also add this:

Best wishes for your daughter's safe, joyful delivery.

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | March 08, 2011 at 06:54 PM

Hi

I would like to know if it is ok to use Yours sincerely and best wishes together at the end of a letter to a client.

In England we use yours sincerely when we know the name of the person we're writing to, but my boss would like to use best wishes as
well. Is that allowed? I thought

Yours sincerely,

and best wishes

his name

seemed a little odd. Can you tell me the best way to get both closes together, or should we just use one or the other?

Thanks in advance

Jax
Posted by: Jackie | April 01, 2011 at 08:40 AM

Jax, using both of them would be odd. Here is a compromise that uses parts of both:

Sincere best wishes,

His Name

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | April 03, 2011 at 11:12 PM

Hi I am enrolled at a community college and my teacher said you cannot use sincerely in a conservative business letter. I disagree. Is it
okay to use sincerely in a conservative business letter?

Sara
Posted by: sara | April 08, 2011 at 10:18 AM

Hi, Sara. One of the rules of business writing is to write for your audience. That means if your teacher asks you to write a "conservative"
business letter with a closing different from "Sincerely," then that's what you need to do for the assignment.

The closings in the January 2006 post (above) are listed from more formal to less formal. It appears that your teacher wants you to use
a more formal close.

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | April 09, 2011 at 09:01 PM

Dear Lynn,

Thank you for your informative article! Im also rather impressed that you follow a comment thread on a 6 year old piece it is truly an
enduring topic. After having learned that nobody* uses respectfully as a complimentary close, I latched onto various types of Regards.
Here are my questions:

1) Varying internet folks warn that Warm regards is not appropriate for someone you have never corresponded with; the suggestion
seems to be that Kind regards or Best regards are better, and that Warm regards should be saved for a closer associate. I rather
like Warm regards, is it ok to use?

2) Business correspondance increasingly seems to involve rapid back and forth emails. I feel a little silly putting a full closer at the end
of every email. What about dropping to WR, (line break) David Harvey or just -David Harvey. On a related note, is dropping "Dear
John" at some point in the email conversation ok?

3)Titles: I work at a big(ish) company, and certainly not everyone knows who I am. A full version of my close to an outside person
might read:

Warm regards,
David Harvey
Junior Systems Administrator
Shakespeare Theatre Company

What are your thoughts on titles in signatures? Should I drop the company name when Im emaling other internal employees? Should I
include title the first time I email someone and then drop it from subsequent correspondance?

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Warm regards,
David Harvey
*My research suggests that people in the military use Respectfully. Senior officers to lower officers I think? But as neither I nor anyone
I write to is in the military I've dropped using it.

Posted by: David Harvey | May 11, 2011 at 09:29 AM

Hi, David. Yes, interest in this topic goes on and on.

Here are my answers:

1. I believe "Warm regards" is not appropriate until you know someone, until you have a warm connection. This is my opinion--not a
fact.
2. When you are emailing back and forth, you can drop both the greeting and closing. I normally restart the greeting if I have not
communicated with someone for at least a few hours.

Feel free to use just "David" as a closing signature if you are on a first-name basis with your reader. I normally sign "Lynn" even in back
and forth messages.

3. You can drop the company name when you are emailing people within your company, as long as you are writing from your company
email account. In an email thread, you can drop your signature block after your first message. However, I would keep the signature
block for all future messages.

Keep in mind that people will forward your emails to others who do not know you.
I believe I have answered all your questions. Have fun!

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | May 12, 2011 at 01:18 PM

Dear Lynn
I have written a book which is doing well but a correspondent has pointed out a catalogue of errors, most of which concern use of
hyphen versus joined word, versus separate words. For example, hand picked or hand-picked, jack knife or jacknife.
Is there a golden rule for this problem? Please note I am referring to England, not America.
Posted by: Graham | May 28, 2011 at 12:09 PM

Hi, Graham. I would not worry about hyphenated or unhyphenated words if your book has already been published. Hyphenated words
change over time, and what is correct today may be outdated tomorrow.

There is no golden rule that applies in all situations. However, my informal rule is to ask myself if the words work separately, for
example, "hand picked successor." The person is not a "hand successor," so "hand-picked" must be hyphenated.

In addition to my informal rule, I use a current dictionary. I would imagine you would use the "Oxford English Dictionary."

When you write a new edition, hire an expert copyeditor to check the punctuation and usage.
In the meantime, ignore people who focus on things like hyphens. No doubt you were writing about important ideas. That's where the
focus should be, unless the errors actually get in the way of your meaning.

Thanks for your question. Good luck!

Lynn
Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | May 31, 2011 at 03:44 PM

Dear Lynn,

Thank you for this article and thanks to the readers for their comments. I just received an email from a potential employer about when
they plan to make their hiring decision. I have corresponded with this person via email sever times and was just flown out to their
campus for a face-to-face interview. The potential employer signed their email with "best wishes" and their first name. In many
previous emails they had just signed their first name, or used "thank you" and their first name. When I saw them use "best wishes" for
the first time I panicked. I began to read into those two words (like reading tea leaves) and immediately thought that "best wishes"
meant "good luck with your future" or "thanks, but no thanks." I hope I'm wrong. From the thread above, I think I'm over reacting.

My best,
Christian

Posted by: Christian | June 08, 2011 at 06:26 PM

Hi, Christian. I believe you are overreacting. And I hope you are too!

I hope you hear good news from the employer soon.

Best wishes,

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | June 08, 2011 at 06:58 PM

Lynn,

Thank you for the tips and humor.

I was working with someone, who I hated because she was getting my boss to demote me, and I found that not replying to her emails
worked very well, instead of faking politeness. But when I did respond, I just put a "-" and my name.

Now I had a client that annoyed me, and I started writing extra formal and warm emails to her, and it really helped our
communications.
I figure it's all about picking your battles, and starting off on the right foot with all clients and colleagues. So thanks for giving me more
ways to do it, so it never gets stale.

Posted by: Lynny | June 26, 2011 at 04:41 PM

Hi, Lynny. Thank you for telling us about the warm emails working well with your annoying client. I am glad you had that positive
experience.

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Lynn
Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | June 27, 2011 at 08:55 PM

Would you ever use; Accordingly as a closing in a business letter, I saw it and thought it looked strange....

Posted by: Lilla E | July 25, 2011 at 09:47 AM

"Accordingly" as a closing? Never!

I cannot imagine what the writer intended.

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | July 30, 2011 at 10:13 PM

Hi, Lynny. Thank you so muuch for telling us such an information. I have a question; Would you ever use"with best wishes for you and
his firend" in letter writting

Posted by: keikhosro | September 11, 2011 at 05:49 AM

Hello, Keikhosro. I believe the closing you want is this:

With best wishes to you and your friend,

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | September 11, 2011 at 01:13 PM

How do you hyphenate three-word phrases? Example - viability dye-negative cells OR viability-dye-negative cells?

Thanks.

Posted by: Camille | September 13, 2011 at 02:55 PM

Hi, Camille. It depends. If the cells are "viability cells" and "dye-negative cells," you need just one hyphen: "viability dye-negative cells."

However, if the word "viability" is part of the adjective "dye-negative," you need two hyphens.

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | September 13, 2011 at 04:41 PM

Hello,
I need to know the difference between Best/Kind regards and Warm regards. Is it a question of "how close" you feel to the person you
are writing to? A colleague, who lives in Germany, sent me this in his reply when I wrote "Kind regards". When I asnwered back, I wrote
as he did it, but I really don't know the difference. Could you let me know, please?
Thank you in advance.
All the best,
Cecilia
Posted by: Cecilia | September 28, 2011 at 05:58 AM

Hello, Cecilia. "Best regards" and "Kind regards" are more neutral than "Warm regards."

As you can guess, "Warm regards" communicates more warmth. However, the difference is subtle, and many people may not even think
about it.

I hope my response helps.

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | September 28, 2011 at 12:26 PM

Thank you!
Posted by: Cecilia | September 29, 2011 at 05:12 AM

Lynn,

What is the best way to end a cover letter sent with a resume?

Sincerely,
Diane

Posted by: Diane | October 10, 2011 at 08:20 AM

Hi, Diane. If you are referring to the closing, you might use these:

Best wishes,
Best regards,
Sincerely,
Sincerely yours,

If you are wondering about the final sentence, it depends on what comes earlier. You might use:

"I look forward to hearing from you."

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | October 10, 2011 at 11:06 AM

Hi Lynn,

i see some emails add a "," at the end of 'Regards' in the compliementary closing, while some others don't. Can you kindnly advise
which is more appropriate or are both acceptable?

Many thanks.

Matt
Posted by: Matt | November 09, 2011 at 02:19 AM

Hi, Matt. In the United States and Canada, we use a comma after the complimentary close. In England, they do not, according to people
who have commented on this blog.

I do not know the norm in other English-speaking countries.

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | November 09, 2011 at 07:44 AM

Hi Lynn

i have read all witting which is above it is really helpful for me well done you have done a great job, can you help me on this too, some
one send me this (( hope you are doing well and best wishes for your exam )) what should i write respectfully for replaying her

sincerely
khoshi

Posted by: khoshi | November 29, 2011 at 02:04 PM

Khoshi, just write this:

Thank you for your good wishes. [or]

Thank you for thinking of me and sending your good wishes.

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | December 01, 2011 at 10:24 AM

Dear Lynn

I want to ask my teacher to email me how much did i take from the exam he told me i will send u by email but he didn't and i really
need to know how much did i take please help me to send him a polite email to ask him this, thank you
yours sincerely
Khoshi

Posted by: Khoshi | January 17, 2012 at 08:08 AM

Khoshi, I don't know how you address your teacher (Mr.? Ms.? Professor?). You might try the message below.

Dear Professor,

I will be very grateful if you will let me know how well I did on the exam.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely yours,

Khoshi

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | January 17, 2012 at 09:47 PM

Thank you very much dear Lynn

Posted by: khoshi | January 18, 2012 at 05:00 AM

Hello Lynn, Please could you possibly advise how to write to send best wishes for an event when I am attending this (along the lines of
'very much look forward to meeting you at the event and ....'. This would be very much appreciated. Best regards, Jennifer

Posted by: jennifer | January 18, 2012 at 11:30 AM

Hi, Jennifer. Just write it. You know what you want to say.

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | January 19, 2012 at 09:22 PM

Dear Lynn,

Thank you for this resource. I sincerely agree that "warm" or "warmest" does not belong in business correspondence closures,
unless/until a close relationship exists; otherwise, it sounds too personal or too shmoozey (if you know what I mean).
Sincerely,
Asa

Posted by: Asa Moore | February 17, 2012 at 01:18 PM

Yes, Asa. I know what you mean, and I agree.

Thanks for stopping by.

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | February 19, 2012 at 02:06 PM

Hi Lynn,
Is it grammatically correct to finish a letter with

From,
Your friends at (business name)?

I am particularly interested in the positioning of comma after "From".

Sincerely,
Masha

Posted by: Maria | March 20, 2012 at 02:12 PM

Hi, Maria. It is not correct to finish a letter with "From" with or without a comma.

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn Gaertner-Johnston | March 20, 2012 at 08:26 PM

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