The phrase "Yours truly" has two main meanings:
- As a formal sign-off at the end of a letter or email, "Yours truly" is used to express sincerity and honesty toward the recipient. It traditionally appears before the writer's name and is more common in American English for correspondence with someone the writer has not previously communicated with. It combines the possessive pronoun "yours" with the adverb "truly" to convey genuine regard. In British English, "Yours faithfully" or "Yours sincerely" are similar equivalents used based on prior communication with the recipient.
- Informally and humorously, "Yours truly" can be used as a pronoun referring to oneself, equivalent to "me" or "I." For example, in a sentence like "The dinner was cooked by yours truly," it playfully means "I cooked the dinner." This usage is less formal and typically avoided in official or formal writing.
Additionally, the phrase "by yours truly" means "by me," emphasizing personal involvement or ownership of a work or action. It conveys a sense of pride and direct contribution by the speaker or writer.
In summary, "Yours truly" is mainly a polite and formal closing in letters to express genuine regard but can also be used humorously as a self-reference. The phrase should be used appropriately depending on context and formality.
