What is the Difference Between Yours Sincerely and Yours Faithfully?

The difference between "Yours sincerely" and "Yours faithfully" lies in the level of familiarity with the recipient and the formality of the letter. Here are the key distinctions:

Yours sincerely: Use this complimentary close when you know the name and title of the person you are writing to. It is more personal and is typically used in semi-formal letters, such as invitation letters, welcome letters, farewell letters, sympathy letters, and thank you letters.
Yours faithfully: Use this complimentary close when you do not know the person's name or have had no previous correspondence with them. It is more formal and is typically used in business and other formal letters, such as application letters, inquiry letters, acceptance letters, and apology letters.

In summary:

Use "Yours sincerely" when you know the recipient's name or have met them before.
Use "Yours faithfully" when you do not know the recipient's name or have had no previous correspondence with them.

It is essential to choose the appropriate complimentary close to maintain a professional and courteous tone in your correspondence.

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What is the Difference Between Yours Sincerely and Yours Faithfully?

Comparative Table: Yours Sincerely vs Yours Faithfully

The difference between "Yours sincerely" and "Yours faithfully" lies in the level of formality and the relationship between the sender and the recipient. Here is a table summarizing their usage:

Closing Phrase	Usage
Yours faithfully	Used when writing to an unknown recipient or when the letter is addressed as "Dear Sir/Madam". Typically used in formal letters, such as application letters, inquiry letters, acceptance letters, business letters, and apology letters.
Yours sincerely	Used when writing to someone you know by name or have met before. Can be used in both formal and semi-formal letters, such as invitation letters, welcome letters, farewell letters, sympathy letters, and thank you letters.

It is essential to choose the appropriate closing phrase based on the relationship with the recipient and the level of formality of the letter or email. Signing off correctly leaves a lasting impression on the recipient and helps maintain a professional tone in communication.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.