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I'm a teacher at a small Swedish university, and I often communicate via email. In the beginning of a course, I tend to try to be somewhat formal, which isn't really my personal style, but soon I drop all the "Dear" for "Hi" instead. In class, I'm informal and quite personal.

My "problem" is the sign-offs. I've simply more or less had enough of "Regards" (although I use it anyway to be safe) but don't really feel too comfortable with BR/Best/Cheers either, at least not in the beginning of a course. (My students are all second-language learners of English.)

Any better ideas, anyone?

Stefan

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  • I rarely include any kind of traditional sign-off (unless I'm being formal). I finish my last paragraph and then simply write my first name on its own line at the end. If I want to say something specific in conclusion, that's at the end of my last paragraph instead.
    – Jason Bassford
    Commented Jan 25, 2019 at 20:08

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I understand your problem really well. What about one of the following:

Greetings

Have a nice day/evening/week/weekend

And in case of some emails maybe also:

Good luck

All the best

Thanks/Thank you (for ...)

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  • Thanks, devaga. I like "Have a nice..." (except for with "day" which sounds too much like a clerk-in-a-store phrase to me. "Thanks" is also great when there's something where a thank you is called for. "All the best" is good most of the time.
    – Stefan
    Commented Jan 25, 2019 at 20:05
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I use "cordially" for people I don't know personally but toward whom I want to act friendly.

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  • I appreciate your help; however, most of my students are probably unfamiliar with "cordially" and, besides, I'm looking for more personal sign-offs. Those are people I meet several times a week in class and with whom I have a relaxed relationship where don't shy away from making fun of myself.
    – Stefan
    Commented Jan 25, 2019 at 20:00

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