Professional Letters what is a Complimentary Closing Phrase
A complimentary closing phrase is essentially the parting words you choose to end your professional letter. The phrase you choose is an important consideration when you write to someone you likely don't know very well, as in the case of most professional letters.
Complimentary close phrases are a way to convey respect or a polite and cordial ending to your professional letter. The one you choose will be in direct correlation to the kind of letter you've written. It is important to select the right parting phrase because these are the last words your letter's recipient will see and are the words which will linger in their mind if not appropriate.
- How to Choose a Complimentary Closing Phrase
The first consideration when choosing your parting words is to decide whether or not the letter is formal or informal. If you consider the level of familiarity you have with your recipient, this will help you decide the type of complimentary close you choose.
The level of formality will determine whether you choose a complimentary close. More formal closes are phrases such as "Sincerely yours", "Sincerely, "Respectfully yours", or "Very truly yours". If you're aiming for respectful, but a bit more informal, you can select from commonly used phrases such as "Regards", "Best wishes", "Cordially", "Kind regards", "Be well", "Best", or "All the best".
As you think about the various ways you can close your letter, it is a good idea to pay careful attention to what you say. You want to be respectful and pleasant, but not to the point where you overstep a boundary if it isn't justified.
- Where the Complimentary Closing Phrase Goes
When you add your complimentary closing phrase to your letter it should be placed right above the space where your signature will go. After you add your phrase, leave a few spaces for your signature before you type your name.
- How to Structure the Complimentary Closing Phrase
In a complimentary closing phrase it is important to understand how to correctly structure your phrase. Only the primary first word receives capitalization and any other secondary words are typed in lower case. Always follow the complimentary close with a comma.
Typically in modern professional letters one to three words are sufficient, however in the past, it was common for correspondences to use several more words in a complimentary phrase. While one to three words is more common today, in some instances or societies it is still appropriate to use longer phrases to end a letter.
While choosing a complimentary close phrase is not difficult, it is an important consideration and the closing phrase chosen shouldn't be taken lightly or carelessly. The reason being is you want to end your correspondence on a positive note and leave a good impression with your recipient; this is a primary reason you want to choose the right closing phrase.
