Quick answer: Use “Wishing you the best” when you want a warm, complete-sounding sign-off that implies an ongoing action (I am wishing you the best). Use “Best wishes” for a shorter, more traditional, and slightly more formal noun-phrase sign-off. Both are correct, but “Wishing you the best” feels more personal and conversational in modern emails.
Writers and professionals constantly debate the optimal sign-off for farewell emails, holiday cards, and professional transitions. The confusion stems from whether to use a participial phrase or a traditional noun phrase to close a message. This guide on wishing you the best with examples will clarify exactly when to use each phrase, ensuring your professional and personal communications always strike the right tone. I have corrected this exact hesitation in thousands of manuscript drafts and corporate communications over my career as a copy editor, and the rule is actually quite straightforward once you understand the underlying grammar.
| Term | Meaning / When to use | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Wishing you the best | A warm, conversational participial phrase implying “I am wishing you the best.” Ideal for farewell emails, colleague transitions, or personal notes where a human touch is required. | “It has been a pleasure working with you, and I am wishing you the best in your new role.” |
| Best wishes | A traditional, concise noun phrase used as a standard valediction. Ideal for formal correspondence, holiday cards, or brief professional emails where brevity is valued. | “Thank you for your guidance this quarter. Best wishes, [Name]” |
When to use “Wishing you the best”
“Wishing you the best” is an elliptical construction. In grammar, an elliptical phrase is one where words are omitted because they are understood from the context. The full, unabbreviated sentence is “I am wishing you the best.” In English, we frequently drop the subject (“I”) and the auxiliary verb (“am”) in sign-offs to create a smoother, more conversational flow. This phrase functions as a present participial phrase that modifies the implied subject “I”.
Because it retains the “-ing” verb form, it conveys an active, ongoing sentiment. It tells the reader that the action of wishing is happening right now, as they read the message. This makes it inherently warmer and more personal than a static noun phrase.
You should use “Wishing you the best” in the following scenarios:
- Farewell emails to colleagues who are leaving the company or retiring.
- Congratulatory messages for friends or peers who are starting new ventures, getting promoted, or moving to a new city.
- Personal notes accompanying a gift, where a human touch is required to show genuine care.
Here are concrete, realistic usage examples showing the error and the fix:
Email Example
Context: Signing off an email to a colleague who is leaving the company for a new job.
Incorrect: “Thanks for everything. Wish you the best.”
Why it fails: “Wish you the best” is missing the subject “I”, making it sound clipped, rushed, and grammatically incomplete.
Correct: “Thank you for your mentorship over the past three years. I am wishing you the best in your new role as Director of Operations.”
Text Message Example
Context: Messaging a close friend who is starting a new small business.
Incorrect: “Heard about the launch. Best wishes.”
Why it fails: While grammatically acceptable, “Best wishes” can feel slightly cold and distant for a close personal relationship.
Correct: “So proud of you for taking this leap! Wishing you the best with the grand opening this weekend.”
When to use “Best wishes”
“Best wishes” is a plural noun phrase functioning as a standalone valediction. It is historically rooted in the longer phrase “I send you my best wishes.” Over centuries of written correspondence, the verb was dropped entirely, leaving a pure noun phrase that functions similarly to “Sincerely,” “Regards,” or “Yours truly.”
Because it lacks a verb, it is inherently more static and formal than a participial phrase. It acts as a label for the sentiment being delivered, rather than a description of an action currently taking place. This makes it the safer, more traditional choice for formal or transactional communication.
You should use “Best wishes” in the following scenarios:
- Formal client or vendor correspondence where maintaining professional distance is necessary.
- Holiday or seasonal greeting cards sent to a broad list of acquaintances.
- Brief, transactional professional emails where brevity is valued over personal warmth.
Here are concrete, realistic usage examples showing the error and the fix:
Formal Client Email Example
Context: Closing an email to a new corporate client after sending a project proposal.
Incorrect: “Wishing you the best, [Name]”
Why it fails: This is too casual and conversational for a first-time interaction with a formal client. It blurs the line between personal friendship and professional service.
Correct: “Thank you for the opportunity to present our proposal. We look forward to your feedback. Best wishes, [Name]”
Resume/Cover Letter Line Example
Context: A candidate is signing off a cover letter for a competitive corporate job application.
Incorrect: “Wishing you the best in your search for the right candidate.”
Why it fails: This shifts the focus awkwardly and is far too informal for a job application. It can come across as presumptuous.
Correct: “Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, [Name]”
How to remember the difference
Use the “Ing” = “I am” trick. If you are actively engaged in the sentiment, the “-ing” makes it personal. Think of “Wishing” as an action you are currently performing on behalf of the reader.
Consider this analogy: “Best wishes” is a static package you are handing over to the recipient. “Wishing you the best” is an active process you are undertaking.
Another helpful trick is to read the sign-off aloud. If you naturally pause and add “I am” before the phrase without it sounding strange, you are in the right territory for “Wishing you the best.” If adding “I am” makes the phrase sound clunky or overly verbose, you should default to the traditional “Best wishes.” This simple vocalization test prevents the most common grammatical stumbles in professional correspondence.
Editor-level insight: In email clients, “Wishing you the best” reads as a final sentence before the signature block, whereas “Best wishes” reads as the signature header itself. If you type “Wishing you the best,” follow it with a period and then your name on the next line. If you type “Best wishes,” follow it with a comma and then your name. This punctuation rule is a dead giveaway for which phrase you are using.
Common mistakes and exceptions
Mistake 1: “Wish you the best” (missing the subject “I”). I see this error constantly in rushed text messages and informal Slack messages. It sounds clipped, grammatically incomplete, and slightly demanding rather than warm. Always include the “I am” or use the participial “Wishing” to maintain grammatical integrity.
Mistake 2: Overusing “Wishing you the best” in highly formal contexts. In legal notices, formal corporate announcements, or initial outreach to strict traditional industries, stick to “Sincerely” or “Regards” to maintain the required level of professional detachment.
Exception: US vs UK differences. The grammatical rules are identical across both variants of English. However, “Best wishes” is universally accepted in UK English as a standard, everyday valediction for almost any correspondence. US English leans slightly more toward the conversational “Wishing you the best” in modern tech, startup, and creative environments, reserving “Best wishes” for more traditional industries.
According to the cultural concept of Wishing, the act of expressing hope for a future outcome is deeply embedded in human communication, making the grammatical framing of that hope critical to its perceived sincerity. Choosing the wrong structure can inadvertently dilute the warmth you intend to convey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “Wishing you the best” grammatically correct as a sign-off?
Yes, it is a standard elliptical construction where the subject and auxiliary verb (“I am”) are implied but universally understood by the reader.
Can I use “Wishing you the best” in a professional resignation email?
Absolutely. It strikes the perfect balance between professional courtesy and genuine warmth, especially when addressing a manager or a close team you are leaving behind.
What is the difference between “Best wishes” and “Warm regards”?
“Best wishes” implies hope for the recipient’s future happiness or success, while “Warm regards” focuses on the sender’s current positive feelings and respect toward the recipient.
Should I put a comma after “Wishing you the best”?
No. Because it functions as a complete sentence (e.g., “I am wishing you the best.”), it should end with a period. “Best wishes,” however, is a valediction and requires a comma.
When style guides provide Examples of proper grammar, editors consistently emphasize that elliptical phrases must remain universally understandable without their implied subjects to maintain professional clarity. If the omitted words create ambiguity, the phrase should be rewritten in its full form.
Betty Walker is a seasoned editor and English language specialist with over a decade of experience in the field. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Yale University, where she developed her keen eye for detail and her passion for precise language use. Betty’s journey into word comparisons was sparked by her work as an editor, where she frequently encountered the need for clarity between similar terms. As an advocate for clear and effective communication, she is committed to helping others navigate the complexities of English word choices. At WordChoiceHub, Betty crafts content that demystifies language puzzles and enriches readers’ vocabularies. Her areas of expertise include distinguishing commonly confused words and providing practical guidance for their usage in real-world scenarios. Known for her insightful and engaging writing style, she enjoys creating content that resonates with both native speakers and ESL learners, emphasizing the importance of context in influencing word choice.