Like a signature in a letter, an e-mail signature is added to the end of your message. But signatures in the e-mail world offer many more possibilities than signatures in letters can.

Signatures can have different functions and leave different impressions suited to the type of correspondence you do. You'll probably want to be informal when e-mailing friends and family, and more formal for business correspondence.

The most familiar element of a signature is the complimentary closing. "Yours sincerely," "Kindest regards," and "Thank you" are all complimentary closings. Which one you use depends on the tone of your message.

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