'Yours Ever'

[lankeela]

How do you sign off a letter? I've just seen a letter from Matt Hancock which he signed off 'Yours Ever' - the only other time I've seen that was by the former jockey and racing commentator Brough Scott when I worked for the Levy Board. I always thought it was a bit pretentious and not really sure what it actually means. Wouldn't 'Forever Yours' be better English or would that be seen as too informal?

[Canary42]

I'm currently signing off "Stay Safe"

[Buenchico]

Who writes letters these days anyway?

I've just sent off an email that ends with "Yours in annoyance" but I'd normally sign off with 'Regards' or 'Kind regards' for most messages.

On the rare occasions I do need to use snail mail, I tend to stick to the old rule of never having an 's' at both the start and end of a letter. So a letter that starts "Dear Sir" (or an equivalent term, such as 'Dear Madam', where the recipient's name isn't used) should never end with "Yours sincerely"; it should always be "Yours faithfully". Less formal letters, where the recipient's name is used, can end in "Yours sincerely" for semi-formal correspondence or with phrases such as "With all good wishes" for contact with good friends, etc.

[AuntPollyGrey]

'Yours ever' is not even a sentence. Sincerely would hint the contents of the letter/email were sincere. Faithfully would suggest the message was written in good faith. Can't see what's weird in that to be honest.

'Kind(est) Regards' seems awkward to me -like you are doing the recipient a favour.

[bednobs]

yours sincerely is not a sentence either; why are they mine?

[bednobs]

ps just looked at my shielding letter from him and he is mine sincerely. Perhaps, it's just temporary though, whereas lankeela is stuck with him forever?

[pixie374]

To me... yours faithfully, yours ever, forever yours are all lies. Regards might work. Thankfully, I don't need to send official emails myself. In mine, I would probably put 'hope all is well with you".

[bednobs]

emails end with Thanks, Bednobs

[douglas9401]

"Pasta, as an American what would be your choice of letter ending be ?"

Peace out V. :-)

[Vagus]

Generally, formalities have gone these days. End a letter, email, whatever, how you want to.
I was taught it was Sir Faithfully and Mr Sincerely, maybe that still stands in some situations, and in a work related context.
Ever yours seems fine, whereas Forever yours seems like a love letter ;)

[Buenchico]

Esteemed Sir,

I tender to you my most sincere felicitations and confirm that I am in receipt of your correspondence of the 9th inst, with reference to that phrasing which should, or should not, immediately precede a person's signature upon the termination of their laying forth of information which is to be conveyed to another by the actions of servants of the Royal Mail.

With regard to the aforementioned, it is my most humble yet sincere opinion that any person or persons who do concern themselves greatly with such matters should have regard to a phrase which I am given to understand has become common parlance among many of the younger members of our society. I quote the said phrase here to you in its entirety. It is simply thus: "Get a life, mate!"

Assuring you of my most sincere and earnest attentions to your correspondence at all times,

I remain your most humble and obedient servant,

B. Chico (Esq)

[Vagus]

Thats just how I phrase letters myself Chris..except I can’t remember when I last wrote a letter, possibly when flowery language like that was de rigour in the 1800s ;)

[jno]

Mr Chico, can you call yourself Esq? I thought that was up to others.

[Buenchico]

I was always told that too, Jno, but I've seen plenty of old letters where the sender has added 'Esq' after their name as a way of advising the recipient of the letter that they're dealing with the proprietor or manager of a firm, rather than one of the mere hoi polloi who work under him.

[lankeela]

Esquire is never used if using Mr either, only when using initials and surname.

[Khandro]

Depending on to whom I am writing & what mood I'm in, the list is unlimited: Cordialement, Grüß, Cheers, Hasta, even, Keep the faith Daddy!