My company is going into new countries, everybody in the administration is taking an English course. In which case they may be correct. I just personally hate the look of the comma after Best regards and feel the “.” looks more professional and adds more closure. I send birthday cards to clients and usually end with the following: The punctuation and formatting are not yet correct. I was an English major in college, so I thought I had a decent handle on these things, but I’ve thought of his emails over the years and always wondered if there was some backslash art that was simply lost on me. Jeannette, we agree. Am I crazy or is this strange? Leaf TP, thanks for letting me know you have been following the blog for years. My style guides all agree that your first choice is perfect. And thank you for displaying the correct use of “it’s” and “its” just two words apart! If you follow that style, your example is correct. Hi Lynn, I have to confess that I’m guilty of the trailing comma. If I greet the reader in the paragraph, I continue to use the comma before the name, like this: Lynn, I use comma after “Thanks”. As you can see, Julie capitalized the ‘B’ and the ‘R’ in this valediction.She also placed a comma at the end of it.. Avoid using an exclamation mark, no matter how excited you feel about your message.Exclamation points are best suited for casual valedictions.. Best regards … In all letters, the sign off should end with a comma. If your email has an informal tone, insert a comma between the greeting and the name, and use either a comma or a period at the end of the greeting. Am I majorly missing something? Let’s see . You have been successfully subscribed to the Grammarly blog. If you would like other options, I have a list of additional formal … First, I suggest you vary your closes depending on your message. Email greetings and sign-offs. It may look odd because many people use “Thank you” as a complimentary close and follow it with a comma. However, I do agree we should change this habit. Best regards, John Smith What does it mean to send your regards, anyway? Thanks again for your help. Thanks & regards. If this communication is somewhat routine or between close colleagues or friends, you may consider punctuating the closing with an exclamation point instead of a comma. Right or wrong? I recommend using your two ideas in two separate sentences: I do so because the ideas are not related. A comma belongs after “Regards” because it is a standard close–not a sentence. Thanks & Regards If your closing contains more than one word, capitalize only the first word, as in Best regards or Sincerely yours. Adding a conjunction like and or but after the comma in the sentence above doesn’t really make sense. Talk soon, For the sake of conversation, let’s say that due to strict design requirements, the line break needs to occur. It’s a bit like the creeping use of ‘was’ in place of ‘were’. These ellipses give us the false impression that we should use a comma. I attribute this creeping comma on the widespread use of "Thanks" as a complimentary close in emails. ถ้าหลัง Dear xxx มี comma หลัง Best regards ต้องมี comma Dear xxx, Best regards, xxx แต่ถ้าหลัง Dear xxx ไม่มี comma หลัง Best regards ไม่ต้องใส่ comma ค่ะ Dear xxx Best regards xxx Although these words and phrases are technically called valedictions or complimentary closings, they are frequently just referred to as closings. When I was learning English I was told that only the first word is capitalized, the rule @godel9 mentioned. Thanks for your blog. Thanks in advance for your reply. Hi, Michael. When Should Best Regards Be Used? And guido mentioned in one exam the correct answer was "Best Regards… Only when the reader’s name comes at the beginning or end of the sentence do you need just one comma. “Regards,” “Best Regards,” and “Regard” in Summary. Good question! Yours faithfully. Today, we’ll cover email and letter closings, such as sincerely and best regards. The more informal style for an email would be simply Regards. I believe both are improper, but my friend says they both belong. Please comment on use of commas in this sentence. It‘s a potential translation for your purpose, but it might be a tad to formal. However, on Gmail, the autocomplete always shows "Best Regards", never "Best regards". I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who cares about it. Here are some alternatives to the phrase “with gratitude” that you can consider using for a quick, informal letter to coworkers or friends. Would it still need a comma after? Like many employees, I spend my days emailing people for my job, and have obsessed over the proper professional email signoff. Thoughts? . I think that many of the examples that you gave would fit this definition, albeit a bit loosely. Interesting question. To be honest I have never seen an email using ‘Yours sincerely’ – but I still feel slightly unsure when I’m writing to someone I don’t know. Thanks! Thanks for another great post! I think I’ll stick to ‘Best regards… The most widely used sign off is “Best Regards” as it literally … By the way, I once had a boss who always used “…” after his requests. “Best regards” is usually used between acquaintances and general well-wishers. Michael. I like commas more than periods or exclamation points! The phrases in regards to and with regards … So why connect them? Using "Kind regards" in a professional email or business letter is recommended as it is a little more formal than "Best regards". But in the second, “you” is the subject (“You have a great day”). However, many people use a comma after “Thanks.”. . Original Recipes: Every single recipe we use is a Best Regards Bakery original that involved many weeks and months of testing. Consider lowercasing “regards” and then follow it with a comma, like this: Best regards, Ajit. Punctuation for Professionals, my online self-study course, will help you know exactly where punctuation goes–and why. They detract from the message because they emphasize the word “also” unnecessarily. In decades past, regards implied not only esteem but also affection; today it sits somewhat higher on the spectrum of formality. Is this correct? In the last 10 days, I have repeatedly seen examples of a crazy comma use. Your name should be on a separate line. Best Regards comma I put a comma at the end because it feels like I am encouraging the conversation to continue, rather than to close it. Some common sign offs for letters of all degrees of formality include Best regards, Sincerely, and Yours truly. I tend to say this: Thank you, and have a great day! Bob, I urge you to use your first choice. Hello, and we know you’re going to love it. After all, Thanks, [my name] implies i am thanking myself. End your message with a formal closing, such as Sincerely, Regards or Best regards. These days many people use a comma after it. However, I do find it palatable to use a exclamation point after a salutation or closing. That approach is called open punctuation. Thousands of new, high-quality pictures added every day. You may communicate through email dozens of times a day. Those closes are always followed by a comma. Each one appeared at the end of an email. Thanks & regards, In the address and closing it seems more prudent to use a period because the shortened phrase stands in for a full sentence. departments etc.) Many people make comma errors involving thanks. The expression is an exhortation and as such warrants such punctuation. I was focused on a project I had to finish. The editors’ choice encouraged me to make a change. If so (and I believe yes), then we have to define complimentary close. Mood: How to Use Tone and Mood in Your Writing, 5 Writing "Rules" That Are Really Guidelines, Beware of These Common Consistency Issues in Writing. Best regards… . With all that ‘weight’ , I always feel the need to personalize a bit with the “Thanks,”. Best regards "Best regards" is probably the most popular signoff for an email or letter. Best wishes, Regards, Best regards, Good wishes. In the first part, “I” is the subject (“I thank you”). I, also, believe that current members will be more like.y to approve of it. Is this correct to use at the end of email. Plus my employer requires a ‘signature’ with a closing,our full name and contact info, the company logo, and a hyperlink to a survey! Like you, I prefer a period after a greeting such as “Hello” or “Good morning.” But it’s just you and I against the world. Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox. BusinessWritingBlog has been helping you become a business writing expert since 2005. Last week's test … Therefore, it needs a period. I agree with Leaf. Your purpose is to thank one person. Sentences end with a period (full stop)–not a comma. My personal opinion on these matters is that people should speak how they wish, as long as they know how to write correctly. A good definition for best regards, for example, would be a comparatively neutral “with my best wishes and esteem.”. Regards, Best regards, and Kind regards are good email sign-offs.. And be sure to put a comma … It can be used both formally in a professional or business setting, but it can also be used informally, say in birthday card or personal letter. Vs. Cover letter closings. With that said, while I evidently should be using a comma and not a period – in your opinion does it make one sound ignorant? – user3353 Aug 28 '13 at 10:10 Plural Grüße is common, but … Find best regards stock images in HD and millions of other royalty-free stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the Shutterstock collection. Thanks, Lynn. Have a lovely weekend! As with the greeting, you do not need any commas after the sign-off. Tone vs. Remember that concerning and about can work just as well as, and more concisely than, in regard to and with regard to. At least not correctly. I do this because, to me, it seems abrupt, and perhaps slightly rude, to have a full stop at the end of an email. Keep the faith! Again, this is a marketing/advertising situation where the visual aspect and removal of visual noise is important. Thanks comma Should you write regards to close your next letter or email? in the UK there is no comma after the salutation and the first word of the text begins with a capital letter. Or we don’t use comma ? In your final sign off (or closing), you should aim to be brief and courteous. With that separation, no one should think you are regarding or thanking yourself. I’ve tried to find help on the internet, but most people still think commas are only used for “natural pauses.” Anyway, thank you again, and sorry to comment on a three year old post! I can understand how you were worried about his ellipses. I understand your consternation at the use of the comma after “Thanks.” I think it’s taken its place along with “Best regards,” and “Best.” I had never seen the use of “Best” until email. My Name. How do you sign off on each of the messages you send? (my department). The commas are not necessary. Thanks & Regards, I guess we have to go with the times. AbdAllah, you are welcome. (In truth, I always offer specific thanks, as in "Thank you for your help" or "Thank you again for your order."). If you are really unsure of which to include "Best regards" is probably the best … It’s amazing how many variations there are on email sign offs. Someti… A colleague of mine refers to signing off with your initials (i.e. People have been following "Thanks" with a comma. Assuming you are thanking Mary, this is correct: What is the correct punctuation if you are replying to an email with just “thank you”? I understand that we are discussing minutiae, but a comma doesn’t make sense based upon it’s usage and purpose. Just the first word of the close is capitalized. Traditionally, a period follows “Thank you,” which is a sentence. I just personally hate the look of the comma after Best regards and feel the “.” looks more professional and adds more closure. Thank you, Mary. I am confused with these closes: How about using a full stop after a final sentence such as “I look forward to seeing you” or “Thank you again for your help”? I totally understand the need to use a comma after a close such as: But, what if after the close, you don’t put anything below? It would be different if your message were “Stay positive and have a great day!” In that case, the subject and ideas would relate. Warm regards, Best wishes, ... Once you have chosen a word or phrase to use as a sendoff, follow it with a comma, some space, and then include your … I have an administrator who uses a period in the salutation of an email – Hi (name of the person). It can be used both formally in a professional or business setting, but it can also be used informally. I’ve debated whether “regards” “or “sincerely” sounds too stiff and formal, if “best… a third way. I’m working a very simple job, and I would love to double check with you about whether or not I have been closing correctly. Is it acceptable to drop the comma? Thanks for posting your thoughts on these topics. Regardless of what you call them, closings are almost always followed by a comma. Learn more about comma placements for greetings and closings. These seem to represent the informal norm , followed by the given name (David/Dave/etc) of the sender. Has the travel agent given you any more information, The software development team holds their supervisor in high. „Mit freundlichen Grüßen“ is the very formal way to end a letter. I came across your post and thought some of the comments and questions were both interesting and funny. Why then does Regards, [my name] not imply that i am sending myself regards? Hi, Lynn. Good question! However, i now wonder why Regards, [my name] is any different from Thanks, [my name]. Maybe, there’s a third way? But there does seem to be a close, logical connection between the first independent clause (I’m … I have letters at … It seems so brutal and final. I urge you not to give in to popular thinking. Do you suggest period after that as well? They also use a period in the closing – Thank you. Lol. If you were the boss and wanted to thank an employee and praise the individual in front of everyone, then a reply to all would make sense. These days people use “Hi” and “Hello” like “Dear”: I held off on making this shift until I realized I was one of the few people using the direct-address comma before the name. Therefore, I have changed, and–as you can see–I used a comma after your name. It‘s more like „yours sincerely“. I sometimes do something similar at the start of the opening paragraph: Hi Jane! Historically, with best regards and with kindest regards have been used as a letter closing—a.k.a. To … I know that the Mayfield Guide for Technical Writers requires all complementary closes to end in a comma, I don’t know of APA/MLA address it? Some even sign them off with Kind regards or Regards. Or maybe just: In Britain (and perhaps other parts of Europe) no punctuation is used after the greeting or the closing. The phrases in regards to and with regards to are never correct, and you might garner criticism if you use them. I think the only close listed above that might match the Webster’s definition is “Thank you again.” I regard it as a sentence, but others may see it differently. When writing cards or emails, commas can often be misused. Nevertheless, I bid you all a good day and a hearty thanks for this discussion. The more important thing though is that you’re consistent within your … During this course one teacher claimed that you should never, never use the greeting “Best regards”.Instead you should use “Yours sincerely” or “Kind regards…