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Home / How to End an Email to a Friend

How to End an Email to a Friend

I'm a writer in the Netherlands who loves to help people compose formal and informal letters in English.

Find just the right way to end your letter or email.

Find just the right way to end your letter or email.

How to End a Letter or Email

One thing people struggle with when writing letters is how to sign off properly. This task can be even more difficult if you're writing in English but it's not your native language. Which words come together to strike just the right tone?

Whether the letter is informal or formal, business or personal, it is important to find the perfect ending for your communication. Here, you will find examples of closing words and sentences with which you can conclude your letter suitably, with separate examples for business and personal styles.

What's the Purpose of the Closing Sentence?

The words you use at the end of your communication should confirm a connection and clarify the purpose of your letter.

  • For some people, the last sentence is used to simply repeat the most important points of the communication.
  • For others, it is an opportunity to give an instruction or a call to action.
  • You may want to express thanks or appreciation.
  • Your ending might be an invitation to continue the relationship in the future, in general or at a specific date and time.
  • Still others might want to conclude with an expression of feeling.

In the next section, you'll find some good examples of ways to end both formal and informal letters.

How to End a Formal Letter (Examples of Closing Sentences)

The following examples are very common last sentences that can be used in letters. It is up to you to determine which one most clearly expresses what you are trying to say.

  • If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
  • I await your reply with interest.
  • We look forward to building a strong business relationship in the future.
  • I look forward to our meeting on the 7th of October.
  • Thanks for your extremely helpful attention to this matter.
  • Thanks again for your attention, consideration, and time.
  • We look forward to hearing from you.
  • It's always a pleasure doing business with you.
  • Thanks again for sharing your expertise in this matter.
  • I am looking forward to getting your input on this issue.
  • Looking forward to our successful partnership.

Example Endings for an Informal Letter

  • I can't wait to hear from you.
  • I am looking forward to seeing you again.
  • See you soon.
  • Let me know what your plans are.
  • I hope to be hearing from you soon.
  • Send my love to __________.
  • Give my regards to __________.
  • I hope you are doing well!
  • With affection (With all my love, or With love and kisses).

What Is an Inappropriate Way to Close a Letter?

If you conclude a business letter with an informal, too-personal sign-off (or if you suddenly become stiff and businesslike at the end of a personal note), this may leave your reader feeling confused.

It's best to retain the same tone (either formal or informal) throughout your entire communication, from the first all the way to the last word!

Examples of How to Sign off on a Business/Formal Letter

Best,
A short, sweet, and safe way to sign off. Many experts agree that "Best" is the best way to go. You can extend it to say "All the best" or "Best regards."

Cheers,
A slightly British-sounding sign-off which conveys friendly cheer but may also allude to drinking alcohol, which might be a bit too informal for some.

Faithfully (or Faithfully yours),
Adds a touch of loyalty but might also come across as a bit too zealous.

Hope this helps,
If you're trying to help someone or offering advice, this might be the perfect closer.

Looking forward,
Conveys a pleasant, casual assurance of continued relationship.

Regards,
Indicates professionalism and respect. You can make it more emotional with "Warm regards," but "Warmest regards" might be a little too warm for a professional letter.

Respectfully,
A nice and somewhat deferential way to end the letter.

Sincerely,
The most common and benign closer.

Thanks (or Thanks again),
Use this if you haven't already fully expressed your gratitude.

Warmly,
A nice but not over-the-top touch of emotion; probably best when you have already met the person face-to-face at least once.

With anticipation,
If your letter's main purpose was to make a plan or set up an appointment, this may be the way to go.

Examples of How to Conclude an Informal Letter

Here, you can say basically whatever you desire. Here are some common informal letter goodbyes:

  • Adios, (whether or not you speak Spanish, a warm way to end the letter)
  • Always and forever,
  • Best regards, (this works for both formal and informal writing)
  • Best wishes,
  • Ciao,
  • Emoticons (smiley faces, :-), etc.,
  • High five,
  • Hugs,
  • Kindest regards,
  • Lots of love,
  • Love,
  • Missing you,
  • See you around,
  • Ta ta!
  • Take it easy,
  • XOXO,
  • Yours (or Yours truly—a bit too personal for most professional communications, but fine for intimate relationships).

DHEZZ ENCISO on August 31, 2020:

Thank you, it's really a big help for me special I am not fluent in English, again, thanks & more power!

Maria on August 22, 2020:

Please, what do you think about' WITH CONSIDERATION' ?

Thank you.

Ella on August 21, 2020:

Helpful

yui sayuri on June 12, 2020:

What about invitation cards?

Monika on May 25, 2020:

PRETTY NICE AND HELPFUL TOO

Tasha on March 19, 2020:

How about if you are writing to a teacher?

John on February 27, 2020:

Hugs

ravi ranjan on November 21, 2019:

how to write if i want to say for any clarity please get in touch with my superior

Steve in Santa Rosa on October 20, 2019:

Thanks to the folks who found & collated this useful info for those of us who are "letter writing challenged".

I appreciate you sharing your expertise.

Respectfully,

Steve in Santa Rosa

Antwoord on October 14, 2019:

helpful

Koby on October 07, 2019:

Does anyone know the meaning of the closing, "Yours in the Faith?"

Piper rockelle on September 18, 2019:

Pretty helpful

Sandy on July 02, 2019:

When you are sending some requested info back to someone, it should be OK to say, "Hope this helps" - because sometimes people are not as specific with what they need as we would like them to be. You can always add, "Let me know if you need anything else", which would indicate that they could refine their request and let you know what else is needed. Some people might like to be succinct and not overly wordy with their replies.

Taya on July 01, 2019:

this was somewhat useful

Nimissa on June 16, 2019:

Good

bohdan.shulskyy on June 05, 2019:

hey

hey

hey

hey

Jasmine on March 28, 2019:

This were really useful when doing Situation Writing.

Alexa on March 23, 2019:

It doesn't seem to help me

Shield bazoo on February 13, 2019:

Thanks Cheryl, how about XOXOXOXO?

Cindy Bradford on February 12, 2019:

I agree with Cheryl! "Hope this helps," portrays insincerity and a lack of true concern, as if to say, "Hope this helps, I'm off to the French Riviera with latte in hand,"

Cheryl on February 11, 2019:

Never, ever, EVER, NEVER use "Hope this helps." Nothing sounds more condescending than that over-used, trite, thoughtless expression.

nopenopeandnopeagain on January 17, 2019:

Thanks for it.

Man on December 26, 2018:

Nice, useful tips..

y PErson on November 09, 2018:

Umm thanks but I wanted more on the lines of things like sincerely, do you know any more?

chelsea oben ayuk on October 29, 2018:

hi my name is che lsea i dont like mathematics but i like english

Rusich on October 18, 2018:

Thanks for your help

bob on October 11, 2018:

thanks

for this

adeeN on July 12, 2018:

This help me a lot thank u

Good on June 07, 2018:

Nice

Josephine on May 17, 2018:

Good but didn't actually understand anyways nice!

Woah on May 14, 2018:

Not very helpful for me…

Just saying...

AHSAN on May 09, 2018:

I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR.....

Woah on April 29, 2018:

It was very helpful for my last minute revision.{^_^}

COLOR COVE on April 26, 2018:

AMAZING TIPS

gvargas on April 19, 2018:

Great tips! I just used one of the examples of how to sign off today in an email.

LoKesha Killingworth on April 14, 2018:

Gratitude, I truly appreciate you sharing tips on how to write a closing and signature as well as tutorial

Durgesh on March 07, 2018:

Very nice for students

Mazdak on March 06, 2018:

Thanks a lot for your help. I have seen a following closing sentence :

Your prompt reply will be highly appreciated....... Is it true?

Little one on February 23, 2018:

This really helped when I was writing an essay. Thank-you!

Priya on February 11, 2018:

Love this ,helps a lot

Manu on January 21, 2018:

aaisha]

i love you

Aaisha on January 01, 2018:

I was great learning this....

Manu on December 10, 2017:

Work is worship

quasain khan , goa on November 06, 2017:

Help full but i can do better

Sonya on November 04, 2017:

Do you say " sincerely yours or yours sincerely" and why is that?

Random Person on October 19, 2017:

Thanks! This really helps me write letters to teachers while seeming formal and business-like! My teachers are impressed, and I really recommend this to increase your language skills.

Te letter writer on September 26, 2017:

good website very helpful

Best

AKSHAJ on September 16, 2017:

Gooooid helps in papers and exams

Jta on September 16, 2017:

wow, the only thing that I would say is that you missed a scholar ending. (simple). but other than that... perfection!

Thot on August 17, 2017:

Wow, actually helped me get an A in my assessment.

MAM on August 12, 2017:

This is really good. Thanks!

tammanna singh on July 06, 2017:

thanks a lot it really helped me in my assignment

Student on July 05, 2017:

It's really helpful.thank u very much.

Chanel hunter on May 28, 2017:

Really 0pened my eyes

student on May 15, 2017:

Thanks! this helped me allot

Moksha on May 13, 2017:

It helps me a lot

Random student who needs help ending letter on March 25, 2017:

Thank you so much. This really helped me with an assignment I have to do for English. Again thank you so much!

Miko on March 16, 2017:

Thanks alot for your guidance in closing formal and informal letters. It much helps especially for me that use English as my second languange. Best regards.

June on March 15, 2017:

Thank you. This helps. :)

stud on March 01, 2017:

good

Edie on February 23, 2017:

very helpful...thanks

jj on February 15, 2017:

its so easy thanks

Reza farzin Saba on February 07, 2017:

Hello to those who helped to prepare such useful letter endings.

All the best,

Reza

idsduge on January 13, 2017:

tahnk you for the sincerey

Student on January 11, 2017:

I am Tin a 4th year student of STI college and I this is really a big help for me. Thankyousomuch, Just continue doin this.

Cari on November 16, 2016:

Thanks a lot! It really helps

merin sony nb on November 07, 2016:

thanks a lot for your valued infomation

Dianne on October 21, 2016:

Very helpful...thanks a bunch!

mahesh on October 12, 2016:

thanks for sharing

Haz on October 02, 2016:

English is my second language, and we had to write a letter as an immigrant (the irony) and this really did help me so thank you very much.

Yalda on September 06, 2016:

Thanks a lot

Alexey on May 22, 2016:

This is very helpful.

BIG ROB on May 01, 2016:

O YEAH!

Andrew M Lissah on September 17, 2015:

Thanks very much for your advice.

student on December 06, 2014:

Helps a lot

Famous on March 13, 2014:

Wow good job

student on October 09, 2012:

I am in the Kelley School of Business at IU Bloomington and trust me no one should use any of these endings for an actual business letter.

How to End an Email to a Friend

Source: https://turbofuture.com/internet/How-to-end-a-letter-in-English-Examples-of-closing-sentences