Which statement best describes capitalization of a letter closing?

Which statement best describes capitalization of a letter closing?

• A. Only the first word should be capitalized.
• B. All words should be capitalized.
• C. Nothing should be capitalized.
• D. Capitalize the last word only.

Answer: (A)

In a letter closing, you capitalize only the first word because closings are a short, formulaic phrase rather than a full sentence. The leading word acts as the draw of the closing, while the remaining words stay in lowercase to keep the appearance clean and formal. For example, you would write “Sincerely,” or “Best regards,” with only the first word capitalized. Capitalizing every word would look like a title, which isn’t the standard style for closings, and capitalizing nothing would undermine the closing’s proper emphasis. Capitalizing the last word only isn’t consistent with how closings are typically formatted.

In a letter closing, you capitalize only the first word because closings are a short, formulaic phrase rather than a full sentence. The leading word acts as the draw of the closing, while the remaining words stay in lowercase to keep the appearance clean and formal. For example, you would write “Sincerely,” or “Best regards,” with only the first word capitalized. Capitalizing every word would look like a title, which isn’t the standard style for closings, and capitalizing nothing would undermine the closing’s proper emphasis. Capitalizing the last word only isn’t consistent with how closings are typically formatted.