Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

Û

539 Glossary for any unfamiliar terms

From discourse to social contexts | 237

---

Formality in letter closings can be lessened by using ellipsis.

Ellipsis in letter closings

neutral/more formal

less formal (ellipted)

I look forward to hearing from you

Look forward to hearing from you

I hope to hear from you soon

Hope to hear from you soon

With regards from 

Regards

With best wishes

Best wishes 

or Best

Yours sincerely

Sincerely

Postcards and other short written messages 

121b

Postcard greetings texts conventionally use a great deal of ellipsis of the verb be

and of initial elements:

Ireland as green as everyone said it was. Having a great time. Weather up and

down, but beats work any day. Love, Nigel and Louise.

(understood: Ireland is as green as everyone said it was. We’re having a great

time. The weather is up and down, but it/this beats work any day.)