Yours Sincerely or Your Sincerely: Which Is Correct? explains the right email closing for formal letters, emails, and business communication with clarity.In the business world, your letter closing shapes your image and often creates confusion for professionals, students, job seekers, and fluent English speakers.
Many people wonder whether Your Sincerely, Yours Sincerely, Your sincerely, Yours sincerely, Sincerely yours, Sincerely Yours, or Sincerely is correct. From my own real-world email communication, I have noticed this error in professional emails, business emails, formal email, business letter, formal letter, job application, complaint letter, academic message, and everyday messages.
The correct expression is Yours sincerely when you know the recipient’s name or person’s name because English grammar follows a different rule for possessive words like your and yours. Using the proper sign-off, formal sign-off, email sign-off, letter sign-off, common signoff, or complimentary close with the right closing phrase.
Quick Answer: Yours Sincerely or Your Sincerely
“Your sincerely” is grammatically incorrect because your must usually come before a noun, while yours can stand alone.
| Phrase | Correct? | Explanation |
| Your sincerely | Incorrect | “Your” needs a noun after it |
| Yours sincerely | Correct | “Yours” works as a standalone possessive pronoun |
Examples:
Correct:
Yours sincerely,
Michael Brown
Incorrect:
Your sincerely,
Michael Brown
The easiest way to remember this rule is:
Your + noun
Yours = stands alone
For example:
- Your book is on the table.
- The book is yours.
The same idea applies to “Yours sincerely.”
What Does “Yours Sincerely” Mean?
“Yours sincerely” is a formal closing used at the end of letters and emails. It expresses respect and goodwill toward the person receiving the message.
The phrase has two parts:
| Word | Meaning |
| Yours | Belonging to you or connected with you |
| Sincerely | Honestly, genuinely, or with true feelings |
Together, “Yours sincerely” carries the meaning of a respectful sign-off, similar to saying:
- I sincerely wish you well.
- I remain respectfully connected with you.
- I send my genuine regards.
Although the phrase sounds like it refers to ownership, it doesn’t literally mean something belongs to the reader. Instead, it works as a traditional closing phrase that developed through formal letter-writing customs.
For example:
Dear Ms. Anderson,
Thank you for reviewing my application. I appreciate your time and consideration.
Yours sincerely,
Daniel Wilson
The closing creates a professional and respectful ending.
Why Is “Your Sincerely” Incorrect?
The mistake happens because many people confuse possessive adjectives with possessive pronouns.
The word your describes something that belongs to another person. It needs a noun to complete the idea.
Examples:
- Your phone
- Your idea
- Your message
- Your company
You cannot normally say:
- Your beautiful
- Your sincerely
- Your happy
These phrases are incomplete because “your” needs something after it.
On the other hand, yours replaces the noun completely.
Examples:
- This phone is yours.
- The decision is yours.
- The opportunity is yours.
In “Yours sincerely,” the word “yours” stands independently, which makes it grammatically correct.
A simple comparison:
| Incorrect | Correct |
| Your is a great idea | Yours is a great idea |
| This pen is your | This pen is yours |
| Your sincerely | Yours sincerely |
The Grammar Behind “Your” and “Yours”
Understanding the difference between these two words makes many English mistakes easier to avoid.
Understanding “Your”
“Your” is a possessive determiner. It shows that something belongs to someone.
Examples:
- Your name is on the list.
- Your presentation was excellent.
- Your opinion matters.
The word always connects with another noun.
Sentence structure:
Your + noun
Examples:
- Your answer
- Your question
- Your responsibility
Understanding “Yours”
“Yours” is a possessive pronoun. It replaces a noun instead of modifying one.
Examples:
- This seat is yours.
- That laptop is yours.
- The choice is yours.
Sentence structure:
Noun + is + yours
Because “yours” can stand alone, it works correctly in formal closings.
When Should You Use “Yours Sincerely”?
Traditionally, writers use “Yours sincerely” when they address someone by name.
For example:
Greeting:
Dear Mr. Johnson,
Closing:
Yours sincerely,
This format commonly appears in:
- Job applications
- Business letters
- Formal requests
- University communication
- Professional emails
Example:
Dear Professor Smith,
I am writing to request information about the upcoming research program. I would appreciate any guidance you can provide.
Yours sincerely,
Emma Davis
The key rule is simple:
Known name = Yours sincerely
If you know the person’s name, this closing fits well.
“Yours Sincerely” vs “Yours Faithfully”
Many people also confuse “Yours sincerely” with “Yours faithfully.” Both are formal closings, but they have different uses.
| Closing | When to Use | Example Greeting |
| Yours sincerely | When you know the recipient’s name | Dear Mr. Carter |
| Yours faithfully | When you do not know the recipient’s name | Dear Sir/Madam |
Examples:
Known recipient:
Dear Sarah Williams,
Yours sincerely,
Unknown recipient:
Dear Sir/Madam,
Yours faithfully,
This distinction is especially common in British English and traditional business writing.
Is “Yours Sincerely” Used in American English?
The phrase “Yours sincerely” is more strongly associated with British English and many Commonwealth countries.
In American English, people often use simpler alternatives such as:
- Sincerely,
- Sincerely yours,
- Best regards,
- Kind regards,
- Respectfully.
For example, an American business email may end like this:
Sincerely,
John Miller
However, “Yours sincerely” is still understandable and grammatically correct in American English.
The choice often depends on the level of formality and regional writing style.
“Yours Sincerely” vs “Sincerely Yours”
Both phrases are correct, but they appear more often in different varieties of English.
| Phrase | Common Usage |
| Yours sincerely | British and Commonwealth English |
| Sincerely yours | American English |
Examples:
British style:
Yours sincerely,
Olivia Taylor
American style:
Sincerely yours,
Olivia Taylor
The meaning remains almost identical. The difference is mainly about tradition and regional preference.
Common Mistakes People Make With Formal Closings
Writing “Your Sincerely”
This is the most common mistake.
Incorrect:
Your sincerely,
Correct:
Yours sincerely,
The problem comes from using “your,” which requires a noun.
Capitalizing Every Word
Many writers capitalize every word in a closing:
Incorrect style:
Yours Sincerely,
Standard style:
Yours sincerely,
Only the first word normally receives a capital letter.
Using the Wrong Closing for the Situation
A formal closing should match the relationship between the writer and reader.
Examples:
Formal:
Yours sincerely,
Professional but less formal:
Best regards,
Casual:
Thanks,
Choosing the wrong closing can make your message feel too distant or too informal.
Adding Too Much Formality
Modern communication has become shorter. A simple professional email does not always need traditional letter language.
For example:
A short workplace email:
Thanks for your help.
Best regards,
Alex
A legal or official letter:
Yours sincerely,
Alex
The situation decides the best choice.
Read More: Based Out Of or Based In: Which Is Correct?
How to Use “Yours Sincerely” in Emails
Although emails are often less formal than printed letters, “Yours sincerely” still works in professional situations.
Job Application Email Example
Dear Hiring Manager,
I have attached my resume for your consideration. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my skills match this position.
Yours sincerely,
Rachel Adams
Business Email Example
Dear Mr. Thompson,
Thank you for your response. I appreciate your assistance with this matter and look forward to working together.
Yours sincerely,
Robert Lee
Academic Email Example
Dear Dr. Wilson,
I am writing to ask about the requirements for the upcoming course project. Thank you for your guidance.
Yours sincerely,
Emily Carter
Examples of Correct and Incorrect Usage
| Sentence | Correct or Incorrect | Why |
| Your sincerely, David | Incorrect | “Your” needs a noun |
| Yours sincerely, David | Correct | Proper formal closing |
| Sincerely yours, David | Correct | Common American variation |
| Yours faithfully, David | Correct | Used when the name is unknown |
| Your help was appreciated | Correct | “Your” modifies “help” |
How to Remember the Correct Phrase Easily
A simple memory trick can prevent this mistake forever:
If you can add a noun, use “your.”
If the word stands alone, use “yours.”
Examples:
Your:
- Your letter
- Your opinion
- Your answer
Yours:
- The letter is yours.
- The opinion is yours.
- The answer is yours.
Now apply that rule:
- Your sincerely
- Yours sincerely
The word “sincerely” does not act as a noun, so “your” cannot work before it.
FAQs:
Is Yours sincerely or Your sincerely correct?
Yours sincerely is correct in standard English. Your sincerely is grammatically incorrect because yours is the proper possessive pronoun used in formal letter closings.
When should I use Yours sincerely?
Use Yours sincerely when you know the recipient’s name, such as in a business email, job application, formal letter, or professional correspondence.
Is Sincerely yours also correct?
Yes, Sincerely yours is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in American English. However, Yours sincerely is more common in British English.
Does the closing of a letter really matter?
Yes. A proper sign-off creates a professional impression, shows respect, and helps your email or letter end on a polite and confident note.
How can I avoid confusing your and yours?
Remember that your is a possessive adjective used before a noun, while yours is a possessive pronoun that stands alone. This simple grammar rule makes it easy to choose the correct closing every time.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right closing is a small detail that makes a big difference in professional writing. If you know the recipient’s name, Yours sincerely is the correct and widely accepted choice, while Your sincerely should be avoided. Understanding this simple grammar rule improves your email etiquette, strengthens your communication, and helps every formal letter or email leave a polished, respectful, and professional impression.
