49 Formal (And Informal) Ways To Use “Best Regards”

One easy and fun way to improve your career prospects is to learn a common business language such as English. 

If you are thinking of taking up a career in an international organization or a multinational company, a good additional language to learn is English. English is considered a lingua franca and is commonly used in business situations.

Learning how to properly communicate in English is important if you want to establish good working relationships. Being able to speak and write in English is a skill that many multinational corporations look for in an employee.

We’ve talked about the importance of learning the meaning and usage of phrases such as “in a timely manner” and “good job” as you are quite likely to hear them in business situations. Knowing such common business phrases will help you communicate professionally.

One other important English phrase to learn to communicate efficiently and professionally is “best regards”.

What does “best regards” mean?

The key to understanding what the phrase “best regards” means is to take a look into what we mean when we use “regard” in a sentence. 

“Regard”, when used as a noun, translates to either “consideration” or “esteem”. When someone has regard for something or someone, they act with consideration and respect for that person’s feelings of wellbeing. We can also say that we hold someone in “regard” when we look up to them or esteem them. 

“Best”, on the other hand, is usually used as an adjective. Something that is the “best” is considered excellent or of high quality. If you wish someone the “best”, you are hoping for nothing but good things for them. 

So, when you say “best regards”, you are conveying your good wishes to someone in a respectful fashion. The implication is that you are saying goodbye to someone who you hold in high regard and that you are hoping that they stay well till the next time you converse. 

When do we use “best regards”?

“Best regards” is a very versatile phrase that can be used in both formal and informal conversations. You are, however, more likely to hear it in business situations. Specifically, it is a good way to end a professional e-mail or letter.

You are more likely to see “best regards” used in written communications, rather than used in actual conversation.  In general, an e-mail or a letter can be ended by saying “best regards” then adding your name. It is considered professional and respectful but friendly.

When you use “best regards” to end a letter or an e-mail, you are using it as a valediction. A valediction is an expression that is used to end a written message. It is a farewell phrase.  

The idea behind a valediction is similar to the idea of parting words in a conversation, it is a phrase that means the conversation is over for now and you have said your piece.

How to use “best regards” to end a message

The usual format to use “best regards” in a letter or e-mail is as follows:

Best regards,

(name/signature)

If you are using it in a casual message, you can use an exclamation mark. So, as follows:

Best Regards!

(name/signature)

23 ways to say “best regards” in a formal situation

When you use “best regards” in a formal e-mail, it is similar to using “sincerely yours”. Both phrases are warm but respectful ways to signify that the “conversation” is at an end. The implication is that you’ve given them all the information that they need to know for now.

While the use of “best regards” and its other alternatives implies that you are ending the message, the implication is that you are still open to future correspondence. You are hoping to converse with them at a later date and are trying to cultivate a relationship with them.

If you want to end a formal e-mail to your superior or a new customer or business partner, you can use one of the following phrases and just add your name if you mean “best regards” 

1. Sincerely

2. Respectfully

3. Cordially

4. Yours sincerely

5. Sincerely yours

6. Respectfully yours 

7. Kind regards

8. Kindest regards

9. With best regards

10. Warmest regards

11. Thank you

12. Thank you for your time

13. Thanks for your consideration

14. Many thanks

15. Sending you the best

16. Looking forward to our next conversation

17. Looking forward to hearing from you

18. Feel free to reach out with any further questions

19. Thank you for reading

20. With gratitude

21. With appreciation

22. Respectfully yours

23. Speak to you soon

26 casual and warm ways to say “best regards”

The following phrases are casual alternatives to “best regards”. You can use them when writing an e-mail to someone with who you have a familiar or friendly working relationship, such as a co-worker you regularly collaborate with or have a friendship with outside of the office.

These are also appropriate alternatives to “best regards” when writing an e-mail to a long-time customer or client. While they are still respectful, they are a little warmer and less “stiff”. They also imply that you expect to continue the relationship and expect to hear from them again.

1. Regards

2. Best wishes

3. All the best

4. Warmly

5. Warm regards

6. Warm wishes

7. Best

8. My best

9. Best wishes

10. Warmly

11. Thanks again

12. Thanks in advance

13. Talk soon

14. See you soon

15. Be well

16. Have a wonderful/good day

17. Happy weekend

18. Let me know if you need anything.

19. Take care

20. Yours faithfully

21. Yours sincerely

22. Yours truly

23. With love

24. Love

25. Lots of love

26. Your friend

Conclusion

When learning English as an additional language, many people focus on memorizing common words and phrases that they believe will help them hold daily conversations with English speakers. 

While it is important to practice your conversational English and learn to speak on a variety of topics, you shouldn’t neglect your written English either. This is especially true if you are learning English because you want to improve your career or if you are thinking of getting involved in business outside of your native company.

English is still one of the most commonly spoken and written languages in the world, especially when it comes to the sphere of business. Learning to read and write English is also important for your career as, in a multinational company or organization, many of the written correspondence and important documents will be available in English.

While it is a good idea to be able to speak with your colleagues in meetings or when you meet in the break area, it is equally important for you to be able to handle written correspondence in English. Learning proper closing phrases for e-mails such as “best regards” will help you communicate properly with co-workers, superiors, and clients or customers.

You should download this PDF of ways to say “best regards” and memorize them. The best way, however, to make sure that you learn the proper way to use these phrases is to take this list to your next session with your native English-speaking online tutor and go through them.