Polite formulas possible at the end of a professional email

Sincerely, best regards, yours… These are all polite expressions to use in a professional email. But each of them has a special meaning. It is also used according to a specific use and according to the recipient. You are an office worker and you want to improve the quality of your professional writing. This article gives you the keys to better handle two polite formulas very frequent.

Sincerely: The polite phrase to use between peers

The word "Sincerely" is a polite phrase that is used in a particular context. To better understand it, we must refer to its Latin origins. "Sincerely," comes from the Latin term "Cor" which means "heart". He therefore expresses “With all my heart”.

However, its use has changed a lot. Sincerely, is now used as a mark of respect. This polite formula is currently marked by neutrality. We resort to it even with a person that we do not really know.

However, there is a certain presumption of collegiality between you and your correspondent. At the very least, it is assumed that you have roughly an equivalent hierarchical level.

In addition, we also use the polite phrase "Sincerely," to show more respect to your correspondent. This is why we are talking about an emphasis formula.

However, it is advisable not to use the short form "CDT" in a professional email, even if you are addressing colleagues.

Best regards: The polite phrase to address to a supervisor

Contrary to the preceding formula, the polite formula "Best regards" grants more solemnity to the exchange. This is quite normal because we are talking to a superior. Whoever says "Best regards" actually says "Selected greetings". It is therefore a mark of consideration for your interlocutor.

Even if the phrase "Best regards" is sufficient in itself, it is rather advisable to say: "Please accept my best regards". As for the formulation, "Please accept the expression of my best regards", it is not wrong, in the opinion of certain specialists.

However, the latter make it known that there is some form of redundancy. Indeed, the greeting is in itself an expression.

Either way, it is good to master the polite formulas and their usefulness. But there are still other requirements to enhance your business email. As such, you must take care of the subject of the message. It is also essential to prevent mistakes from devaluing your email.

To do this, it is advisable to write your emails in Word or to invest in professional correction software.

In addition, you may not know it, but the use of the smiley is also not recommended, as is a professional email of the "paved" type.