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Yours Sincerely or Yours faithfully?

This question has been answered · 11 replies
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Anonymous:
When do you use Yours Faithfully?
Approved answer (verified by )
:
Yes, but it's also okay to use Yours sincerely in formal letters. The difference is that we use Yours faithfully when we start a letter with Dear Sir/Madam, while Yours sincerely (or Sincerely yours) is used when we've mentioned the actual name of the person you're writing to in the salutation.

So,

Dear Sir/Madam, ---> Yours faithfully formal, not specific

Dear Ms Paula Hill ---> Yours sincerely formal, addressed to a particular person
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Approved answer (verified by )
:
Hi,

Today, I rarely see 'Yours faithfully'. It seems rather old-fashioned to me.

Clive
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:
At the end of a formal letter.

Yours faithfully,

...
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:
CliveToday, I rarely see 'Yours faithfully'. It seems rather old-fashioned to me.
Would it be possible that it's more common in British English? One of my teachers, a British native, insisted that I use 'Yours faithfully' in certain cases. But I'll take your word for it anyway Clive Emotion: smile Now, that you mention it, 'Yours faithfully' does have a sort of old-fashioned ring to it. But to me, it strikes me as respectful. It's hard to describe...

Kind regards,
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Anonymous:
Yours faithfully should be used when you don't know to whom you are writing, Yours sincerely should be used if you have a name or are slightly aquainted.
Anonymous:
I would add that "yours sincerely" is often preferred because those using it are ignorant of how the different sign-offs should be used in different circumstances - i.e.

Dear Sir/Madam/Parent/The Occupier

djdjddj

Yours faithfully

Dear Mr Paul

jhkjhkbnkj


Yours sincerely

where "yours sincerely" is only used if the name of the addressee is known.

Regards

harryf200
Anonymous:
Thanks
Anonymous:
Anonymous When do you use Yours Faithfully?
Emotion: thinking
Anonymous When do you use Yours Faithfully?
When you don't know the persom!
Anonymous When do you use Yours Faithfully?
Anonymous When do you use Yours Faithfully?
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