Beginning and Ending a Letter - British Style and American Style

Every English letter needs a salutation, e.g. Dear Sirs. And also needs a complimentary close, e.g. Yours faithfully. The only exceptions are the occasional sales letters written in ‘advertising style’, which may begin :

“Are you sure you remembered to turn the cooker off … ?”

Here are a few simple example of salutation and complimentary close to help you create a good letter.

EXAMPLE OF SALUTATION

Salutation for formal or routine letter

British Style :

·         Dear Sir

·         Dear Sirs,

·         Dear Madam

·         Mesdames

American style :

·         Dear Sir,

·         Gentlemen,

·         Dear Mr Brown

·         Dear Miss Brown

·         Dear Mrs. Brown

Salutation for informal letter

British style :

·         Dear Mr Brown,

·         Dear Miss Brown,

American style :

·         Dear Mr Brown,

·         Dear Miss Roberts

Salutation for personal letter

British style :

·         Dear Mr Brown,

·         My dear Brown,

·         Dear Jim,

American style :

·         Dear Mr. Brown,

·         My Dear Mr. Brown,

·         Dear Harry,

Baca juga: Cara Membuat Daftar Pelanggan dan Analisis Umur Piutang

EXAMPLE OF COMPLEMENTARY CLOSE

Complementary close for formal or routine letter

British style :

·         Yours faithfully,

American styke :

·         Very truly yours,

·         Sincerely yours,

·         Yours very truly,

Complementary close for informal letter

British style :

·         Yours sincerely,

·         Yours truly,

American style :

·         Very truly yours,

·         Cordially yours,

Complementary close for personal letter

British style :

·         Yours sincerely,

·         Sincerely,

·         With best wishes,

·         Yours,

American style :

·         Sincerely yours,

·         With kind regards,

·         With best regards,

·         Sincerely,

·         Yours,