In last week's lessons on 'Applying for a job', students were finding it difficult to remember how to sign off letters.
The 'Valediction'
Should it be 'yours sincerely' OR 'yours faithfully'?
One tip I gave them was:
'You never have two 'S's together'.
An easy way to remember is you would never have Sir / Sincerely in the same letter of correspondence.
When the recipient's name is unknown to you:
Dear Sir / Madam.. you use 'Yours faithfully'
When you know the recipient's name:
Dear Mr Hanson … you use 'Yours sincerely'
When addressing a good friend or colleague:
Dear Jack … Best wishes/Best regards
Addressing whole departments:
Dear Sirs … Yours faithfully