Complimentary Close

The Form of the Business Letter

It should be noted that in the English-speaking countries there are no uniform standards for business letters. Certain general rules are observed in all these countries, but there are many variations in details.

The essential parts of the business letter are:

Heading

The letterhead, or heading, consists of the name and address of the firm and additional information, such as telephone number or numbers, telegraphic address, cable address, code or codes used by the firm, telex number or numbers, names of partners or directors, branch offices, etc.

Date

The date is placed below the printed letterhead, or it forms part of the typed heading. In Great Britain it is usually written in either of the following ways: 12th August, 20… or August 12th, 20…

The Americans use the latter form, but omit the st, nd, rd or th after the day of the month. (This shorter form has also become quite popular in Britain.): May 2, 20…or 16 September 20…

Inside Address

The inside address includes

a. addressee's name,

b. his title,

c. house number, street, etc.

Salutation

Every English letter—regardless of whether it is addressed to a private person, a business firm, or a government office—requires a salutation.

The most common salutations in letters to individuals are Dear Sir or Dear Madam, Dear Mr. Baker, Dear Mrs. Smith or Dear Miss Brown.

The Americans usually prefer the salutation Dear Mr. (Dear Mrs./Dear Miss)...

In letters to two or more men and to business firms, the salutations Dear Sirs and Gentlemen are used. The former is preferred in Great Britain, the latter in the United States.

Body

The body of the letter contains the message. In Great Britain and the United States, great importance is attached to the paragraphing of letters. A separate paragraph should be devoted to each new topic or idea. Most letters do not exceed one page. If the letter is longer, it is continued on a second sheet.

Complimentary Close

The complimentary close should always be consistent with the salutation.

In Great Britain the suitable complimentary close for letters beginning with Dear Sir or Dear Madam, Dear Sirs or Mesdames is Yours faithfully. Letters using the salutation Dear Mr..., Dear Mrs... or Dear Miss... are closed with Yours sincerely. Other informal closes are Yours truly and Yours very truly.

In American business letters Yours sincerely or Sincerely yours is increasingly replacing Yours very truly or Very truly yours. Correspondents who know each other well also use the following closes: Sincerely, Yours cordially, Cordially yours and Cordially.