What is the situation with the use of closing formulae in the Writing paper?
There is no fixed penalty for using a formula which has traditionally not been considered the appropriate one. It would be difficult to impose such a penalty as worldwide there is a range of correct endings. This is all part of the effect on the target reader as an appropriate ending has a positive effect and is part of the correct register for the task. Cambridge ESOL would not penalise the use of ‘Yours sincerely’ as opposed to ‘Yours faithfully’ and vice versa. The use of ‘Love’ or ‘Cheers’ in a formal letter would, however, be inappropriate register, as would ‘Yours faithfully’ in an informal letter.
