Sincerely Yours vs. Yours Sincerely – Which is Correct?

Both “sincerely yours” and “yours sincerely” are grammatically correct and acceptable complimentary closings for formal and semi-formal letters. While “yours sincerely” is traditionally more common in British English, “sincerely yours” is generally preferred and more widely used in American English, often seen as slightly more direct.

Sincerely Yours or Yours Sincerely – Which is Correct?

When closing a letter or email, both “sincerely yours” and “yours sincerely” serve the same purpose: to convey a respectful and earnest sentiment before your signature. The primary distinction between the two lies in their common usage and regional preference, rather than strict grammatical correctness. Both phrases are valid in American English, though “sincerely yours” tends to be the more conventional choice.

“Sincerely yours” places the adverb “sincerely” before the possessive pronoun “yours,” emphasizing the sincerity of the sender. “Yours sincerely” reverses this order, placing “yours” (referring to the letter’s content or the sender’s sentiments) first, followed by the adverb. While this difference might seem minor, it contributes to a subtle stylistic variation.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To remember the subtle difference and make the right choice, especially in American English contexts, consider the order of emphasis. “Sincerely yours” puts the sincerity front and center, followed by the possessive “yours.” This directness is often favored in American professional correspondence. If you’re unsure, defaulting to “sincerely yours” is a safe and widely accepted practice in the United States.

Phrase	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Sincerely yours	Adverb + Possessive Pronoun	Expresses earnestness and genuineness, typically closing a formal letter.	“Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely yours, John Doe”
Yours sincerely	Possessive Pronoun + Adverb	Conveys a sincere closing, often preferred in British English.	“I look forward to your reply. Yours sincerely, Jane Smith”

How to Use Sincerely Yours

“Sincerely yours” is a standard complimentary close, widely used in formal and semi-formal correspondence, particularly in American English. It conveys a tone of respect, earnestness, and professionalism. It is appropriate when you know the recipient’s name (e.g., “Dear Mr. Smith”) or in general professional settings where a polite but not overly familiar closing is required.

Example 1: “Thank you for your prompt response and assistance with this matter. Sincerely yours, [Your Name]”

Example 2: “I am writing to express my strong interest in the Research Assistant position. Sincerely yours, [Your Name]”

Example 3: “We appreciate your feedback and look forward to implementing the suggested changes. Sincerely yours, [Your Name/Company]”

Etymology of the word Sincerely Yours

The phrase “sincerely yours” combines two distinct linguistic elements. “Sincerely” is an adverb derived from the Latin sincerus, meaning “clean, pure, sound, genuine, unadulterated.” It entered English through Old French and implies honesty and freedom from deceit. “Yours” is a possessive pronoun, stemming from Old English eower, indicating possession or belonging. In this context, it functions as a short form of “your sincere regards” or “your sincere self,” signifying that the sincerity expressed comes from the sender.

How to Use Yours Sincerely

“Yours sincerely” is another grammatically correct complimentary close, widely used in British English for formal and semi-formal correspondence, especially when the recipient’s name is known (e.g., “Dear Mr. Jones”). While less common in American English than “sincerely yours,” it is still understood and perfectly acceptable. Its tone is formal and respectful, similar to its counterpart.

Example 1: “Following up on our conversation, I have attached the requested documents. Yours sincerely, [Your Name]”

Example 2: “Please accept this letter as my official resignation from the company. Yours sincerely, [Your Name]”

Example 3: “We hope to resolve this issue to your satisfaction in due course. Yours sincerely, [Your Name/Company Representative]”

Etymology of the word Yours Sincerely

The phrase “yours sincerely” reverses the order of its components. “Yours” acts as a possessive pronoun, indicating that the closing sentiment belongs to the sender. Its origin traces back to Old English. “Sincerely” is an adverb derived from the Latin sincerus, meaning “pure” or “genuine,” emphasizing the honest nature of the sentiment being conveyed. The construction gained popularity as a formal closing, particularly within British epistolary traditions, offering a slightly different stylistic nuance compared to placing “sincerely” first.

Related Concepts

Understanding broader grammar and etiquette concepts can help clarify the appropriate use of closings like “sincerely yours” and “yours sincerely” in various contexts.

• Complimentary Closings: These are the words or phrases used to end a letter or email before the signature. Their choice depends heavily on the formality of the communication and the relationship with the recipient. Examples include “Best regards,” “Cordially,” “Respectfully,” and “Warmly.”
• Formality in Writing: The level of formality dictates word choice, sentence structure, and overall tone. Formal writing (e.g., job applications, official complaints) requires more traditional closings like “sincerely yours.” Informal writing (e.g., emails to friends) allows for more casual closings like “Cheers” or “Talk soon.”

Examples from Media and Literature

While “sincerely yours” and “yours sincerely” are common in correspondence, direct quotes in published media often come from letters within narratives. Here are illustrative examples of their usage:

• In a classic novel, a character might conclude a formal letter: “I await your reply with great anticipation. Sincerely yours, Arthur P. Sterling.”
• A diplomatic dispatch from a film could end with: “We trust this matter will be handled with the utmost discretion. Yours sincerely, Ambassador Eleanor Vance.”
• A letter to the editor in a newspaper might close: “I hope my concerns are taken seriously by the council. Sincerely yours, Concerned Citizen.”
• A business communication from a corporate executive: “Thank you for your dedicated service to the company. Sincerely yours, CEO [Name].”
• A historical document or personal letter from the early 20th century could read: “With kindest regards, Yours sincerely, Margaret.”

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. Thank you for your valuable insight. __________, Sarah Chen.
2. I am writing to follow up on our previous discussion regarding the project proposal. __________, David Lee.
3. We appreciate your patience as we work to resolve this issue. __________, Customer Support Team.
4. Please find the requested documentation attached. __________, Dr. Emily White.
5. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further. __________, Michael Brown.

Answer Key

1. Sincerely yours (or Yours sincerely)
2. Sincerely yours (or Yours sincerely)
3. Sincerely yours (or Yours sincerely)
4. Sincerely yours (or Yours sincerely)
5. Sincerely yours (or Yours sincerely)

Sincerely Yours Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Respectfully	Used in very formal correspondence, especially when addressing superiors or officials.
Best regards	A versatile and common closing for professional and semi-formal emails/letters.
Cordially	Formal and polite, often used in invitations or where a slightly warmer tone is desired.
Regards	A more concise and slightly less formal version of “Best regards.”

Yours Sincerely Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Yours faithfully	Traditionally used in British English when the recipient’s name is unknown (e.g., “Dear Sir/Madam”).
Respectfully yours	A highly formal closing, often used in legal or official documents.
Kind regards	A polite and friendly closing, suitable for most professional contexts.
With sincere regards	A slightly more elaborate and formal way to express sincerity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is there a difference in formality between “sincerely yours” and “yours sincerely”?
Both phrases convey a similar level of formality suitable for professional and semi-formal correspondence. While “yours sincerely” has a slightly more traditional, British English feel, neither is inherently more or less formal than the other in a global context. In American English, “sincerely yours” is simply the more common and expected choice.

Question 2: When should I use “sincerely yours” instead of “yours faithfully”?
“Sincerely yours” (or “Yours sincerely”) is typically used when you know the recipient’s name (e.g., “Dear Mr. Smith”). “Yours faithfully” is traditionally used in British English when you do not know the recipient’s name and have used a general salutation like “Dear Sir/Madam.” In American English, “Sincerely” or “Sincerely yours” is generally sufficient for both cases, though “Respectfully” can also be used for unknown recipients in very formal contexts.

Question 3: Can I use these closings in emails?
Yes, both “sincerely yours” and “yours sincerely” are appropriate for formal and semi-formal emails. For less formal emails, shorter closings like “Best regards,” “Regards,” or “Thanks” are often preferred. The key is to match the closing to the overall tone and relationship with the recipient.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both “sincerely yours” and “yours sincerely” are correct and acceptable complimentary closings for formal and semi-formal correspondence. While “sincerely yours” is the generally preferred and more common choice in American English, “yours sincerely” is widely understood and used, particularly in British English. The subtle difference often comes down to regional preference and stylistic nuance rather than grammatical correctness.

Pro Tip: When in doubt, especially in a professional American context, “Sincerely yours” is a safe and widely accepted choice that maintains a professional and respectful tone. Consistently using one form helps establish your professional brand and attention to detail.