Distinguishing Between Yours Sincerely & Yours Faithfully

Yours Sincerely vs Yours Faithfully

A common confusion arises between the usage of “yours sincerely” and “yours faithfully” when writing letters. It is essential to understand the difference between them and the appropriate situations for their use. With letter writing still being a significant form of communication, especially in business, knowing whether to use “yours sincerely” or “yours faithfully” is vital.

What does Yours Faithfully mean?

“Yours faithfully” should be used when signing off a letter to someone whom you do not know or have not met. Typically, the letter would begin with the greeting “Dear Sir” or “Madam,” and the recipient is not addressed by their name.

What does Yours Sincerely mean?

In contrast, if you are writing to someone you have met before or known for some time, you can begin the letter with the greeting “Dear Mr/Miss/Mrs/Ms” and end it by signing off as “yours sincerely.” The use of “sincerely” relates to your association with the person you are corresponding with. If you have met the person, spoken to them on the phone, or been introduced by someone else, you can sign off the letter using “yours sincerely,” followed by your first name. However, “yours sincerely” is used for friendly but not intimate letters. Some letter writing experts also recommend using “regards” instead of “yours sincerely.”

Key Takeaways

• Yours faithfully is used when writing to someone you do not know or have not met.
• Yours sincerely is used when writing to someone you have met before or have known for some time.
• The use of “regards” can also be recommended in place of “yours sincerely” for friendly correspondence.