The Safest Email Sign-offs to Use at Work

What is the best way to sign off a work email? A lot of us worry about how formal is too formal or how friendly is too friendly. But to be safe, why not choose a traditional email sign-off that has stood the test of time? Like one of these:

'Best' or 'Best wishes'

Ending a work email with "Best wishes" or "Best" for short is extremely common, making it one of the safest ways to sign off. It's good for situations where you don't want to be too formal — just friendly and polite.

'Best regards' or 'Kind regards'

Another polite, safe and friendly way to end a work email is to use "Best regards" or "Kind regards." "Kind regards" is the more formal of the two, and is an excellent choice if you don't know the person you're writing to very well.

'Yours truly' or 'Sincerely yours'

"Yours truly" and "Sincerely yours" are common in formal business emails and in job applications. However, they are not normally used in everyday work emails.

Use "Yours truly" in business emails to people you don't know. These usually start with "Dear Sir" or "Dear Madam" — or "Dear Sir or Madam." For a person whose name you do know, use "Sincerely yours," or even just "Sincerely."

How not to sign off a work email

Love: Unless it's your grandmother or you have a very special relationship with your boss, never sign off work emails with "love."

Thx or Rgrds: Short for "thanks" and "regards," these abbreviations are not a good way to end a business email. Instead, take the extra seconds you need to write out the complete word.

Nothing at all: Never forget to sign off, especially if it's your first time contacting someone!

Exercise 3

Discussion

Which of the sign-offs mentioned in the article have you come across before?

How much time per day do you usually spend reading and answering emails?

Do you ever have to write or read emails in English?

What are most common email sign-offs in your language?

What's the best writing advice you've ever heard?

Exercise 4

Further Discussion

How do people at your place of work typically communicate?

Which of your coworkers do you talk to or hang out with the most?

Would you describe your workplace as formal or casual?

Is there anything you'd like to change about your workplace?

What would you say is the best thing about the company you work for?

Source

This lesson is based on an article by Karen Turtle.