The Top 5 Worst Ways to End a Letter or Email

A closing has to fit the
tone of the letter.

One of the most difficult parts about writing a letter or email is figuring out how to end it. The salutation and actual body of the message can sometimes be a lot easier to think up than that little bit of crap right before your name at the bottom. There so many different phrases and sayings that can be used and depending on the situation some might not be appropriate. The big problem is most of them are extremely old fashioned and make little to no sense in today’s world. Still, most people use them because saying “Peace out” or “One love” at the end of a business letter or email isn’t yet considered professional. While you’re trying to figure out the right way to end your correspondence, try to avoid these, the top 5 worst ways to end a letter or email:

5. “Sincerely”

This is one of the most popular ways to end a letter and you might be wondering why it’s even on this list of the worst. The reason this is a bad ending is because of the hidden message it contains. By saying “Sincerely” you’re making it a point that you’re being sincere and truthful. Does that mean any time you don’t end a letter with “sincerely” you’re lying? It might. Best not to even put that idea into someone’s head. Let’s just assume you’re being sincere all the time and pick a different closing.

4. “Yours”

This is a bad closing to a letter or email because it’s generally inappropriate. It’s not a good idea to get into the habit of ending emails like this because you might accidentally slip it in on an email for your boss and wind up in a lot of trouble for what’s seen as “flirting or other strange behaviors non-conducive to a proper work environment.”

3. “Regards”

Writing “regards” at the end of a letter is very formal and professional sounding which is great. The problem is, what the hell does it mean? Seriously think about what saying “regards” means. No one talks like this. This word is completely lost on people of today’s age and probably didn’t even make sense back in the 17th century when people used it all the time. I suppose it means you’re regarding the person in a fond way so really it’s more of a compliment than a closing to a letter. You wouldn’t end a letter “You look pretty.” So why say “regards”?

2. “Warm regards”

You think if you just heat up regards a little it starts to makes sense? No.

And the number one worst way to close out a letter or email is…

1. “Best”

Whenever I see someone end their email or letter with “best” it always pisses me off. Best what? You can’t bother writing the word “wishes”? Or maybe you mean something else? I can’t tell because you’ve purposely ended the letter vaguely. What ends up happening is you come off as insanely arrogant. I know it’s “Best,” not “Best:” and then your name, but it kind of looks like you’re saying you’re the best and that’s no way to end a letter.

Did you finally take a break from admiring your reflection to write a letter?