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• How to End an Email | 10 Closing Lines & Sign-Offs

How to End an Email | 10 Closing Lines & Sign-Offs

Published on January 4, 2023 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on June 1, 2023.

Sending good emails is an essential professional skill. In addition to knowing how to start an email , you should understand how to end one, with an engaging closing line , an appropriate sign-off , and a proper email signature .

Below, we provide you with five strong closing lines and five professional sign-offs to use in your correspondence. We also discuss what information you should include in your signature.

Table of contents

5 good closing lines, 5 strong sign-offs, what to include in your email signature, how not to end an email, other interesting language articles, frequently asked questions.

A good closing line encourages your reader to reply or to do whatever it is you’re asking them to do.

1. Keep me informed …

If you want to be kept updated about an ongoing project or situation, try making this clear at the end of your email. This is most appropriate if you only need a reply when something changes.

Keep me in the loop about your progress.

2. I appreciate …

Thanking the recipient for their past or ongoing help is a good way to strengthen your relationship with them. You can even thank them in advance for something you expect them to do, such as replying quickly, although this will seem presumptuous if they have no particular obligation to do what you’re asking.

Thanks in advance for your prompt reply.

Sometimes, it’s best to be explicit about what you want to happen as a result of your email. This way, the recipient is in no doubt about what you expect from them, whether this is a reply or some sort of action.

I’d be grateful if you can indicate your availability as soon as possible.

4. Can you let me know?

If what you need is an answer to a specific question, it’s a good idea to pose this question clearly at the end of your email. Even if the issue at hand isn’t a question per se, phrasing it as one draws the reader’s attention to the fact that you need an answer.

Would you prefer to provide your input before I proceed, or shall I get started now?

5. I’d love to hear your feedback

If what you need is an opinion on something from the person you’re writing to, frame it in a positive way that emphasizes how valuable their input will be.

I’m excited to hear what you think.

A sign-off is the word or short phrase that precedes your name at the end of an email (or letter). There’s no need to try to break the mold with an unusual sign-off, but different options convey different levels of familiarity with the recipient, so it’s important to choose one that fits the context.

1. Sincerely (yours),

A classic sign-off for any kind of correspondence, Sincerely is formal, but not excessively so. This sign-off, or its slightly more formal version Sincerely yours , is a good choice for something like a job application but may strike too formal a tone for an email to a coworker.

2. Regards,

Regards is another common sign-off. Like “Sincerely,” it’s somewhat formal but straightforward. It’s a good all-purpose sign-off for any kind of formal to semi-formal correspondence with coworkers, potential employers, customers, or teachers.

Best is a shortening of the phrase “Best regards” or “Best wishes,” which strikes a less formal tone than either. It’s a good choice when you’re writing to someone you already know and with whom you have a friendly relationship. It’s not very formal, but still formal enough for corresponding with coworkers.

4. Best wishes,

Best wishes is more formal than just writing “Best,” but it also conveys more warmth than other formal options. It’s a good choice when you want to remain formal but also strike a friendly tone.

Best wishes,

A more informal option is “Cheers,” which doubles as a way of thanking the person you’re writing to. It conveys a friendly, casual tone and is best used with colleagues with whom you have a friendly relationship. It’s not a good choice in situations where greater formality is expected.

It’s common to include a standard signature at the end of all your professional emails. This doesn’t mean a literal handwritten signature, but rather a selection of information following your name.

The exact details included will vary depending on your role and how you expect people to contact you, and you may omit the signature completely when you’re contacting someone you already know well.

Besides your full name, some or all of the following details are commonly included. Add those that seem relevant in your situation:

• Company name
• (Physical) address of the company
• Phone number
• Email address
• Social media channels

Growth Marketer

+55 5555 555

While there are many ways to close an email, some are best avoided in a professional context.

Overly informal sign-off

Take care not to choose an excessively informal sign-off. While a somewhat casual sign-off like “Cheers” has its uses in some professional contexts, some are never appropriate in these kinds of communications.

These include more affectionate sign-offs, those involving slang, and those that just consist of your name or your name preceded by a dash.

No sign-off or signature

In most professional emails, you should include some kind of sign-off and your name, even in an ongoing exchange. Not doing so is generally considered impolite.

Occasionally, in an ongoing exchange with someone with whom you work closely, you might drop this part and just end with your last sentence, especially if they have done the same. But when initiating a conversation, always include a proper sign-off, however informal.

Default email signature

Many email apps include a default signature, usually just stating what device or operating system the message was sent from (e.g., “Sent from Mail for Windows”). This information is unlikely to be helpful to the recipient, and its inclusion may suggest to them that you haven’t put much effort into the email.

It’s best to replace this default signature with one containing relevant information about you. If you don’t want to create a signature, it’s still better to disable the default signature rather than retain it.

If you want to know more about commonly confused words , definitions , and differences between US and UK spellings , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

Confused words

• Affect vs effect
• Further vs farther
• Loose vs lose
• Whose vs who’s

Definitions

• Bear with me
• Presumptuous

US vs. UK spellings

• Burned or burnt
• Canceled or cancelled
• Dreamt or dreamed
• Gray or grey
• Theater vs theatre

Traditionally, the sign-off Sincerely or Yours sincerely is used in an email message or letter when you are writing to someone you have interacted with before, not a complete stranger.

Yours truly is used instead when you are writing to someone you have had no previous correspondence with, especially if you greeted them as “ Dear Sir or Madam .” But the difference is no longer strictly observed in US English, and you can generally use Yours truly for someone you know without any issues.

Some synonyms and near synonyms for the expression looking forward to hearing from you include:

• Eagerly awaiting your response
• Hoping to hear from you soon
• It would be great to hear back from you
• Thanks in advance for your reply

Want automatically generated syonyms while you write? Check out the free paraphrasing tool .

Some synonyms, near synonyms, and variations of regards include:

• Best regards
• Kind(est) regards
• Sincerely yours
• Warm(est) regards
• Yours truly

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Caulfield, J. (2023, June 01). How to End an Email | 10 Closing Lines & Sign-Offs. Scribbr. Retrieved November 7, 2023, from https://www.scribbr.com/effective-communication/end-an-email/

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Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, how to start an email | 10 greetings & opening lines, 8 alternatives to “looking forward to hearing from you”, sincerely yours | meaning, when to use & examples.

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The 49 best closing lines in movies, from Alien to Apocalypse Now

This is ripley, last survivor of the nostromo, signing off’, article bookmarked.

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"I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

"This is Ripley, last survivor of the Nostromo, signing off."

"I'll be right here."

‘Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads!’

"After all, tomorrow is another day."

You may not have seen the films these closing lines are in, but chances you you've heard them many times before, so ingrained are they in cinematic lore.

Below is a list of all the films that have the greatest closing lines in cinema history.

Scroll through the gallery to see what made the list.

47 best movie closing lines

Other galleries you might like:

21 actors who took their roles so seriously it out of hand

37 best film twists of all time

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The 23 most unforgettable last sentences in fiction

A book’s final lines can make or break the experience. here are some of the best..

For the Olympic gymnast, success comes down to how well she sticks the landing. A flubbed dismount sullies even the most awe-inspiring routine.

Stock-still at their desks, novelists face a similar demand for a perfectly choreographed last move. We follow them across hundreds of thousands of words, but the final line can make or break a book. It determines if parting is such sweet sorrow or a thudding disappointment.

A character in one of Jess Walter’s novels says, “A book can only end one of two ways: truthfully or artfully.” Alas, most don’t end truthfully or artfully, but there are rare exceptions: novels that conclude with such gracefully calibrated language that we close the back cover and feel physically imprinted, as though the words were pressed into us by a weight we can hardly fathom.

The rest is silence.

Some of those great final lines remain markers of our favorite novels, holy relics of our most cherished reading experiences. Others enter into the language, take on a life of their own, and eclipse their source.

Here are 23 final lines that I have never forgotten.

“I got to light out for the territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me, and I can’t stand it. I been there before.”

“Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain (1884)

“Huck Finn” is the most contentious Great American Novel. The Concord Public Library in Massachusetts banned it soon after it was published. Censors’ objections have shifted over the years (from truancy to the n-word), but it’s been banned in parts of the country ever since. Even the novel’s greatest fans have complained about those tedious final chapters, in which Tom and Huck plot to free Jim from the Phelpses’ farm. (Hemingway condemned this section as “cheating.”) But that last lonely line is pure genius. In Huck’s sweet accent, Twain captures the spirit of an adolescent nation determined to resist domestication and to keep exploring the unknown.

“There was the hum of bees, and the musky odor of pinks filled the air.”

“The Awakening,” by Kate Chopin (1899)

At the end of Henrik Ibsen’s play “Hedda Gabler” (1891), a trapped and passionate woman shoots herself in the head, and her old friend exclaims, “Good God! — people don’t do such things.” A few years later, Chopin ran right up against those same stultifying expectations in her last novel, “The Awakening,” about a wife and mother who falls in love with another man and begins to imagine a different life. Although it inspired considerable condemnation at the time, it’s now recognized as one of the earliest modernist novels and a foundational feminist text. The first readers were shocked by the heroine’s decision to walk into the sea and drown herself. Even today, Chopin’s final image of sensuous natural beauty is deeply unsettling.

“Beloved,” by Toni Morrison (1987)

Morrison’s classic novel about slavery begins with this enigmatic line: “124 was spiteful.” We come to understand that animus slowly, as the story of a murdered baby moves backward and forward in time, before and after the Civil War. Of course, former slaves and historians had described the horrors of slavery before, but nearly 125 years after Emancipation, Morrison made the psychological legacy of the South’s peculiar institution palpable as no other book ever had. After so much trauma and the exhausting exorcism that concludes the novel, what other ending would do but a final invocation of that child who represents so many snuffed out by our nation’s foundational sin? “Beloved.”

“We try, as my sister said. We try. All of us. We try.”

“Canada,” by Richard Ford (2012)

Ford is better known for his books about real estate agent Frank Bascombe, for which he won a Pulitzer Prize, but this novel is his finest. It’s a deeply contemplative story about a man whose inept parents were imprisoned for bank robbery, leaving him and his twin sister to fend for themselves when they were 15. Ford describes the adolescents’ harrowing adventures in beautifully polished sentences. But even more arresting is the book’s moral struggle to understand and forgive his parents’ failings — and his own. That final line, with its simple, imploring repetition, concludes the novel with just the right spirit of affirmation and regret.

“It’s funny. Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.”

“The Catcher in the Rye,” by J.D. Salinger (1951)

Holden Caulfield would scoff at the idea, but he’s served ably as the patron saint of disaffected teens for almost 70 years. His mix of treacly self-pity, witty cynicism and clinical depression speaks for millions of lonely people forced to endure a world of phonies. His final advice, not to tell anybody anything, could have run anywhere in the novel, but it sounds especially poignant at the end of his journey. It’s a plaintive acknowledgment that his wandering confession to us has brought him no comfort. Considering Salinger’s many decades as the nation’s most famous recluse, we’re tempted, of course, to consign that same pain to the author.

“And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!”

“A Christmas Carol,” by Charles Dickens (1843)

Dickens didn’t “invent Christmas,” as a recent movie starring Christopher Plummer claims, but the Victorian novelist certainly taught us how to celebrate it. His story about a reformed miser was an immediate bestseller, and, a few years later, he began offering public readings that attracted enormous crowds in England and America. Repetition — and cynicism — may have reduced Tiny Tim’s final prayer to a saccharine cliche, but the tale of lives reformed and saved has lost none of its real sweetness.

“He was soon borne away by the waves, and lost in darkness and distance.”

“Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus,” by Mary Shelley (1818)

In 1816, Lord Byron suggested to friends vacationing with him in Switzerland that they each write a ghost story. In response to that challenge, 18-year-old Mary Shelley conceived of the world’s most famous monster. Although two centuries have passed since Dr. Victor Frankenstein “turned loose into the world a depraved wretch,” his creature’s plaintive cry still moves anyone who has a beating heart. Tortured by loneliness, the monster ultimately flees to the North Pole, and the doctor dies in pursuit. How brilliant to end the novel with the grieving creature drifting away into the vast darkness — and whiteness — at the end of the world.

“Reader, I did not even have coffee with him. That much I learned in college.”

“A Gate at the Stairs,” by Lorrie Moore (2009)

Novels and short stories make different demands on their forms — and their readers. That contrast is most evident in the final moments. Lorrie Moore, one of the best short story writers alive, once said, “The end of a story is really everything,” and for many years it seemed she had abandoned novel writing altogether. Then — after a 15 year hiatus — came “A Gate at the Stairs,” about a witty young woman trying to figure out adult life in the face of two unspeakable tragedies. You can see in this novel’s last words how successfully Moore switches registers. Knowing that the complex power of her book is already complete, the very ending offers a sigh of emotional relief: a wry repudiation of “Jane Eyre.”

“I’ll pray, and then I’ll sleep.”

“Gilead,” by Marilynne Robinson (2004)

Perhaps the greatest failure of American literature, which is so bravely explicit about all other aspects of life, is its nervous avoidance of anything explicitly religious. Not so “Gilead,” the first book in Robinson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning trilogy about two families in Iowa. “Gilead” is not only one of the finest novels of the 21st century, it’s also one of the most theological. The narrative comes to us as a sprawling letter written by John Ames, a 77-year-old Congregationalist minister who fears he might die soon. What, he asks himself, must he tell his 7-year-old son before he’s carried away to imperishability? In prose of striking clarity, Rev. Ames describes adventures both historical and spiritual. His testimony, sealed with that line from “King Lear,” is enough to convert anyone to the power of great fiction.

“After all, tomorrow is another day.”

“Gone With the Wind,” by Margaret Mitchell (1936)

Americans have consistently called Mitchell’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel one of their very favorites. It was a bestseller when it was published during the Great Depression, and just last year, it ranked No. 6 on PBS’s “Great American Reads.” But like several of our most popular books — I’m looking at you, “To Kill a Mockingbird” — its immortality has been buttressed by an exceptionally memorable film adaptation. All kinds of spot-on criticisms have been leveled against the novel (and producer David Selznick’s 1939 movie) for its romanticized racism. But no one can forget Vivien Leigh — I mean Scarlett O’Hara — uttering that blithely optimistic line, which has since slid away from its source and entered our vernacular as an expression of gallows humor. It’s also worth noting that Mitchell didn’t coin the phrase; it appeared as a well-known maxim in the first volume of Harper’s Weekly in 1857.

“She looked up and across the barn, and her lips came together and smiled mysteriously.”

“The Grapes of Wrath,” by John Steinbeck (1939)

Four decades later, I can still feel the shock of reaching the end of Steinbeck’s novel about an Oklahoma family traveling to California in search of work. Although initially attacked for its fierce critique of unregulated capitalism, “The Grapes of Wrath” was a phenomenal bestseller and won a National Book Award and a Pulitzer Prize. Even today, millions of people think of the ravages of the Great Depression through the lens of Steinbeck’s story. Its final scene, the culmination of a relentless series of hardships, losses and deaths, offers a moment of startling compassion and intimacy — the very milk of human kindness made flesh.

“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”

“The Great Gatsby,” by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925)

Only months after it was published, Fitzgerald referred to “Gatsby” as a “flop,” and copies of the second printing were gathering dust in the publisher’s warehouse 15 years later when he died. Now, of course, his story about a handsome gangster is considered one of the greatest novels of the 20th century. It’s also one of the most poetic novels ever written, as this gorgeous closing line demonstrates. The mourning narrator, Nick Carraway, places Gatsby’s romantic quest in the context of those first Dutch settlers who projected their hopes on the lush shores of this now corrupted country. We know, he laments, that our first dreams can never be realized, but we can’t help pining for them anyhow.

“Are there any questions?”

“The Handmaid’s Tale,” by Margaret Atwood (1985)

If you haven’t read Atwood’s dystopian novel since it was first published, you may have forgotten what follows the story of Offred’s resistance to the Republic of Gilead. The book ends with an epilogue that takes place at an academic conference in the year 2195. Professor Pieixoto describes the challenges of transcribing the story we’ve just read from 30 cassette tapes found in an army footlocker. Lapsing into the bland objectivity of academia, the professor warns his fellow scholars to be “cautious about passing moral judgment upon the Gileadean. Surely we have learned by now that such judgments are of necessity culture-specific.” The lessons of the past, he notes chillingly, are obscured by the passage of time. When the applause dies down, he asks, “Are there any questions?” Those of us staring at a Supreme Court now tipping away from women’s reproductive rights probably have several questions. Perhaps they will be answered in a sequel that Atwood plans to publish in September called “The Testaments.”

“Who knows but that, on the lower frequencies, I speak for you?”

“Invisible Man,” by Ralph Ellison (1952)

It’s possible to measure the weight of a novel by the size of its impact crater. Ellison’s masterpiece, which won the 1953 National Book Award, remade the terrain of African American fiction — and American fiction. “I am invisible,” the unnamed narrator says at the start, “simply because people refuse to see me,” but by the end, no one could ever ignore him. The story he tells — sometimes horrific, sometimes absurd, often both — takes him across the country, from a Southern “state college for Negroes” to Harlem, where he falls in and out with a black activist group. In the final pages, the narrator knows some readers will continue to ignore the relevance of his life: “You’ll fail to see how any principle that applies to you could apply to me.” But he knows that’s not true. In fact, he confesses that the universality of his experience “frightens” him.

“I wish you all a long and happy life.”

“The Lovely Bones,” by Alice Sebold (2002)

The plot of Sebold’s debut novel sounds equally gruesome and mawkish: Susie, a 14-year-old girl, is raped and murdered by a neighbor, and then she describes her family’s reaction from heaven. Theologically, the story is a gooey mess of New Age mysticism, but it’s emotionally effective because Sebold got Susie’s voice just right. Although she’s still a teenager with a teenager’s silly attitudes and interests, death has given her preternatural insight into the suffering of those she’s left behind. Her simple, final wish looks banal out of context, but after watching her family — and her murderer — for years, it’s devastatingly pure.

“For an instant, everything was bathed in radiance.”

“March,” by Geraldine Brooks (2005)

The father of the four March sisters is just a minor character in Louisa May Alcott’s beloved “Little Women” (1868), but Geraldine Brooks put him at the center of her historical novel “March,” which won a Pulitzer Prize. This Civil War story cleverly blends biographical details about the real Bronson Alcott, Louisa May’s father, with elements of the fictional Mr. March, who has gone south to serve as a chaplain to Union soldiers. Alcott gives little indication of what horrors may have shaken Father during his fight for abolition, and “Little Women” ends with Mrs. March saying, “Oh, my girls, however long you may live, I never can wish you a greater happiness than this.” But by the time March returns to his happy home at the end of Brooks’s novel, we know him as the haunted survivor of carnage — and a crushing spiritual crisis. The light of a single lamp brought into his dark parlor arrives like a foretaste of grace.

“And Madeleine kept squinting, as though Mitchell was already far away, until finally, smiling gratefully, she answered, ‘Yes.’”

“The Marriage Plot,” by Jeffrey Eugenides (2011)

Every once in a while a novel ends with the satisfaction of a final puzzle piece snapping into place — somehow both inevitable and surprising at the same time. Such is the effect of the last line of Eugenides’s most recent novel, which seems in retrospect constructed to bring us directly to these three letters. “The Marriage Plot” is a cerebral romantic comedy about Madeleine, a thoroughly modern young woman who gets her ideas of love from 18th- and 19th-century fiction. Torn between two very different men, Madeleine endures real tragedy before finally correcting her course, which we, her desperate fans, can’t know for sure until that very last word. Of course, Eugenides is also echoing the end of James Joyce’s “Ulysses,” whose last extraordinary sentence is about 4,000 words long and ends with Molly Bloom’s boundless enthusiasm: “yes I said yes I will Yes.”

“He loved Big Brother.”

“Nineteen Eighty-Four,” by George Orwell (1949)

Orwell’s classic dystopian novel about a totalitarian state has never gone out of print, but it got a huge boost two years ago from the election of Donald Trump. His administration’s unprecedented readiness to lie and to repeat lies aggressively reminds many readers of the Party that rules Oceania. Orwell’s protagonist, Winston Smith, works as a reviser of historical records in the Ministry of Truth before becoming a member of a doomed resistance movement. The novel’s final scenes of physical torture — including the gruesome “rat helmet” — are undeniably terrifying, but what’s most chilling is the government’s success at twisting the very minds of its subjects. In that haunting last line, we see the ultimate success of Big Brother’s deception, and we feel the full atrocity of what’s been done to Winston.

“He runs. Ah: runs. Runs.”

“Rabbit, Run,” by John Updike (1960)

When we first meet 26-year-old Harry “Rabbit” Angstrom, he decides on a whim to run away from his wife and toddler. It’s a “monstrously selfish” act borne of panic over his lost youth and the soul-crushing responsibilities of adult life. Rabbit eventually crawls home, determined to be better, but his flight instinct is not so easily quelled. In the final pages, at the worst possible moment, he flees again, which Updike captures in that closing line swelling with deliverance and cowardice. There is no better portrayal of 20th-century white men than the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Rabbit” series, which went on to include “Rabbit Redux,” “Rabbit Is Rich,” “Rabbit at Rest” and the novella “Rabbit Remembered.” Each book ends with an echo of the first novel’s last word, a subtle coda that ties together the stages of Rabbit’s life.

“In the deep glens where they lived all things were older than man and they hummed of mystery.”

“The Road,” by Cormac McCarthy (2006)

This novel, about a man and his little boy walking through an apocalyptic wasteland, mesmerized — and terrified — readers. “The Road” won a Pulitzer Prize and even spurred the normally shy author to agree to speak with Oprah for his first-ever television interview. What accounts for the power of this bleak tale to shake even the most cynical readers? I think it’s the tension between the countryside’s utter destruction and the father’s adamant love, all rendered in a style as spare as a sun-bleached bone. We arrive at the final page in a state of utter desolation. At that moment, McCarthy suddenly breaks away from his characters and describes trout that once swam in mountain streams. After the gray and blood-soaked pages that came before, it’s shockingly beautiful and places humanity’s horrors against the boundless life of the Earth.

“Yes,” I said. “Isn’t it pretty to think so?”

“The Sun Also Rises,” by Ernest Hemingway (1926)

Hemingway’s vaguely autobiographical story about a group of dissipated friends in Europe after World War I has aged well. Its desultory plot and muffled despair still feel strikingly modern. But how painfully ironic that America’s most macho author should be remembered for a novel about an impotent man. In this closing scene, the lovely Lady Brett tempts Jake once again to imagine what “a damned good time” they could have had. But Jake isn’t having it anymore. The chaos and disappointments of the preceding months have cured him of pointless fantasies, and he dismisses Brett’s romantic speculation with this bitter rhetorical question.

“She called in her soul to come and see.”

“Their Eyes Were Watching God,” by Zora Neale Hurston (1937)

“The fact that there is no demand for incisive and full-dress stories around Negroes above the servant class is indicative of something of vast importance to this nation,” Hurston wrote in 1950. She knew firsthand the deleterious effects of that lack of demand. Her first book, “Barracoon,” never found a publisher during her lifetime. Her extraordinary novel “Their Eyes Were Watching God” fell out of print and was essentially forgotten, until Alice Walker rediscovered it in the 1970s. Now, fortunately, the tumultuous story of Janie, a black woman in Florida, is firmly rooted in the canon of American literature, and every year new readers “come and see.”

“and it was still hot.”

“Where the Wild Things Are,” written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak (1963)

The tale of Max, the mischievous boy sent to bed without his supper, was Sendak’s greatest achievement, the perfect pairing of text and image. In fewer words than most novelists use in a single paragraph, Sendak managed to capture our fundamental fears and thrills. When Max “gave up being king of where the wild things are,” sailed back to his room and found dinner waiting for him, his mother’s love is confirmed, and the natural order of his world is restored. For generations of us, this is the first final line that knocked our booties off. And we never forgot it.

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Ron Charles

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The 33 best movie endings of all time, ranked

• Nothing beats a great movie ending.
• Here we rank 33 of the all-time best.
• Find out where favorites like "Inception," "Avengers: Infinity War," and "Casablanca" end up on the list.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories .

Movie endings can leave you with a sense of satisfaction or make you want to throw your chair at the screen.

Every filmmaker strives for the former, and in some cases, they manage to pull off something that will be remembered forever.

Whether it leaves you happy or sad, or has a visual or line of dialogue that just brings everything together, a movie ending can make or break how you feel about the story you just watched.

From "Gone with the Wind" to "Avengers: Infinity War," here we rank 33 of the best movie endings of all time (spoilers galore, obviously).

33. "There Will Be Blood" (2007)

In a movie filled with mind games, the ending of Paul Thomas Anderson's classic is its most memorable.

Eli Sunday (Paul Dano) comes to Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) in hopes of selling him land for oil. Plainview agrees, but only if Eli, a preacher, denounces his faith. Sunday does, but then Plainview reveals that the land is worthless as the oil has already been taken from it. This leads to a confrontation that ends with Plainview killing Sunday with a bowling pin.

The last line of the movie is Plainview shouting, "I'm finished!"

32. "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975)

In one of Jack Nicholson's greatest performances, the fate of R.P. McMurphy is sad but also inspiring. His rebel attitude, sapped due to a lobotomy, transfers to the gentle giant Chief, who finally has the strength to escape the ward. And we like to think the spirit of McMurphy is right there with him.

31. "Shane" (1953)

Gunfighter Shane (Alan Ladd) has beaten the bad guy and brought justice to the West, but as he gets on his horse, young Joey (Brandon De Wilde) sees blood dripping from Shane, his arm limp as he rides off.

What follows is one of the most quoted closings in movie history — Joey shouting out, "Shane! Come back!"

30. "Easy Rider" (1969)

Driving home the "we blew it" statement in the scene before the conclusion of the revolutionary counterculture tale, Billy (Dennis Hopper) is shot by a hillbilly, and when Wyatt (Peter Fonda) drives off to get help, he's also shot and killed.

An aerial shot shows Wyatt's burning motorcycle on the roadside.

29. "La La Land" (2016)

Mia (Emma Stone) and her husband (Tom Everett Scott) stroll into a jazz bar and suddenly Mia realizes she's in Sebastian's (Ryan Gosling) establishment. And there he is on stage introducing the band that just played. The two lock eyes and it completely shatters Sebastian. He gets on the piano and begins to play a song.

We are then thrust into a sequence of flashbacks of what he could have done to have kept Mia. It all would have culminated with him sitting next to her at the jazz bar instead of her current husband. The scene ends with no words just Mia and Sebastian locking eyes for the last time as she leaves. It's one heck of a way to end a love story.

28. "The Sixth Sense" (1999)

For better or worse, director M. Night Shyamalan became the king of the surprise ending with the reveal at the end of "The Sixth Sense." It turns out Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) was in fact one of the dead people Cole (Haley Joel Osment) sees.

Shyamalan reveals this through a series of flashbacks at the end of the movie and finally the reveal that Malcolm never survived the opening scene of the movie when the intruder entered his house.

27. "Gone with the Wind" (1939)

The epic love story set during the Civil War ends in grand fashion. Tired of the games being played by Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh), Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) walks out on Scarlett with the epic line, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." This leads to Scarlett pledging to win back Rhett because "tomorrow is another day." The film closes with an incredible shot of Scarlett standing in front of a setting sun as the score by Max Steiner plays.

26. "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981)

After successfully obtaining the Ark of the Covenant from the Nazis' possession, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) brings it back to the US and is told sternly that the Ark will now be studied by "top men." But in a final shot, director Steven Spielberg shows the Ark boxed up and wheeled off in a warehouse among thousands of other boxed secrets.

25. "Rocky II" (1976)

"Rocky" had the incredible first bout between Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) and the famous "Adrian!" line at the end. But the "Rocky II" ending tops the first.

The rematch between Balboa and Creed ends with the two knocked down in the final round and racing to stand before the referee gets to a 10 count. The scene is intense regardless of how many times you've seen it.

24. "The Thing" (1982)

After destroying the alien that has terrorized him and his crew, R.J. MacReady (Kurt Russell) thinks he's all alone in Antarctica. That is until Childs (Keith David) comes out of the darkness.

MacReady thinks Childs could have been contaminated by the alien, but doesn't have the strength to do anything about it. Instead, the two share a drink from the same bottle and "see what happens."

23. "Inception" (2010)

It's an ending that continues to befuddle many. After Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) completes the job that gets him back home he goes to see his kids, he spins his small top, the totem that will convince him he's in reality. But before he can see the top stop spinning he sees his kids and runs to them. The camera turns back to the top, still spinning. Or is it finally about to stop?

We'll never know, the screen turns black and the credits roll.

22. "The 400 Blows" (1959)

Francois Truffaut's landmark story of a delinquent boy's life in Paris (partly based on his own) ends with the main character Antoine Doinel (Jean-Pierre Leaud) running away from a troubled boys' school to the ocean, a sight he's never seen before. He turns and looks directly into the camera. The freeze-frame of his face is one of the most powerful images in movie history and has led to countless interpretations.

21. "Psycho" (1960)

After the big reveal that shows Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) was in fact dressed as his mother and committed all the murders at the Bates Motel, director Alfred Hitchcock shows Bates in a holding cell as the voice of his mother protesting the murders is heard. If you look closely, you'll see the chilling skeleton head of Norman's mother as the picture dissolves to show Marion's (Janet Leigh) car being pulled out of the swamp next to the Bates Motel. 

20. "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1978)

One of the better remakes of a horror movie, the 1978 version of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" has a great shock ending as we find Michael (Donald Sutherland), thought to still be human, walking around until he runs into Elizabeth, who has also stayed human. But when Elizabeth gets closer, Michael points at her and lets out a scream that the pod people do.

Elizabeth is frozen in terror. Michael is now one of them. Try to go to sleep after watching that scene!

19. "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967)

Controversial at the time of its release because of the violence depicted, the film's ending drove home that unrest as outlaws Clyde Barrow (Warren Beatty) and Bonnie Parker (Faye Dunaway) are killed in a hail of gunfire from police who had finally caught up with them.

What's most memorable in the ending (outside of the violence) is the editing done. A fast close-up on both characters just before the shooting starts.

18. "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994)

After being the first man ever to successfully escape Shawshank, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) sends a message to friend "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman) on how to find him once he is paroled. This leads to a powerfully touching reunion between the two on a beach.

17. "Avengers: Infinity War" (2018)

"You should have gone for the head" — and with that line Thanos snaps his fingers and disappears, destroying half of all living things. We watch as many of our favorite Avengers disintegrate, leaving the ones who survived in complete shock.

We then see Thanos on another planet, sitting down as the sun sets and smiling. It's definitely the most powerful ending ever to a superhero movie.

16. "The Wild Bunch" (1969)

Director Sam Peckinpah was always for delivering harsh visuals to his audience and with this classic Western he gave a blood-soaked ending that's hard to forget. Pike Bishop (William Holden) and his gang take on the Mexican army with their sidearms and a very big machine gun. It's a complete bloodbath with few survivors.

15. "Night of the Living Dead" (1968)

In an ending that is very much commentary on the racial unrest in the US at the time of its release in the late 1960s, Ben (Duane Jones), the lone survivor in the house from the zombie attack, is shot and killed by hunters the morning after the attack as he's mistaken for a zombie. Ben, who is black, is then thrown into a bonfire.

14. "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb" (1964)

With nuclear weapons certain to destroy the world, the politicians and generals in the war room think of how mankind can live. Dr. Strangelove (Peter Sellers) begins to explain how a super-race can be created and begins to stand from his wheelchair.

He shouts: "Mein Führer, I can walk!" Then the doomsday device goes off. There's only one better ending from a Stanley Kubrick movie. (Keep reading to find out.)

13. "Scarface" (1983)

As drug lord Sosa has his men attack the compound of Tony Montana (Al Pacino), Tony goes out in one of the most incredible shootouts ever filmed, with a machine gun and a lot of smack talk. It's the scene that will link Pacino and director Brian De Palma forever.

12. "The Godfather" (1972)

After putting out hits on all the heads of his rival mafia families, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) is confronted by his wife Kay (Diane Keaton) about the death of his disloyal brother-in-law, Carlo. Saying he doesn't talk about his business, Michael finally gives in and tells her he had nothing to do with Carlo's death.

We then see from Kay's point of view Michael being greeted by the men in his family who call him "Don Corleone." As the door closes on Kay, she realizes Michael is no longer the man she fell in love with.

11. "Sunset Boulevard" (1950)

Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) is to be taken by the police for the murder of screenwriter Joe Gillis (William Holden) but doesn't move until the press arrives — with cameras. Then, with her public waiting, she gives her final performance. It's a walk down her long staircase, all press frozen in time. Desmond continues to walk, directly right at us to the screen as the movie ends.

10. "The Graduate" (1967)

Ben Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) successfully breaks up Elaine Robinson's (Katharine Ross) wedding, and the two run off on a bus. After the excitement subsides, the camera inspects the two sitting in the back of the bus as they contemplate what they have just done.

The camera stays on them as their smiles move to "oh, s---" blank expressions.

9. "Chinatown" (1974)

When Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) finally figures out the twisted love affair of Noah Cross (John Huston) and Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway), it's too late. The cops are hot on his tail, and everything comes to a head in the Chinatown district of LA. Evelyn is killed, and Noah leaves with Katherine (Evelyn's sister and daughter). It's then that Jake is told the classic line, "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown."

8. "Carrie" (1976)

When you think all the scares are done, director Brian De Palma gives one more at the end of his adaptation of the Stephen King novel. As Sue (Amy Irving) walks to Carrie's old home to pay her respects, a hand comes out of the ground to grab her. We realize she is actually dreaming and she wakes up in hysterics in her bedroom while the haunting music rages.

7. "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968)

The ending of Stanley Kubrick's "2001" is a technological masterwork. David Bowman (Keir Dullea) flies into the monolith, where he finds a vortex of colored lights, sees an older version of himself, and finally becomes the star child.

Well, we think that's what happens, anyway. It's an ending with countless interpretation to this day.

6. "The Third Man" (1949)

The beautiful end to Carol Reed's film noir proves that sometimes action really does speak louder than words. The single shot with no dialogue shows Alida (Anna Schmidt) walking from Harry's (Orson Welles) funeral and completely passing Holly (Joseph Cotten), proving how much she really cared about Harry. All of this is over the unique score by Anton Karas.

5. "Seven" (1995)

The shocking twist in David Fincher's "Seven" brings to a thrilling conclusion a police whodunit that we thought couldn't get any more insane. Finally having captured John Doe (Kevin Spacey), Mills (Brad Pitt) and Somerset (Morgan Freeman) are led by the madman to an open field, where a box is delivered.

The reveal of what's inside the box — the head of Mills' wife (Gwyneth Paltrow) — is an incredible shock and leads to the final sin being committed: wrath.

4. "Casablanca" (1942)

With plans to run off with Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), Rick (Humphrey Bogart) instead shocks her, and the audience, by telling her to leave with Victor (Paul Henreid) to America. After Rick kills Major Strasser (Conrad Veidt) so the two can get away, Rick is left with Captain Louis Renault, who tells his officers to "round up the usual suspects" for the Major's death.

Rick and Louis famously walk away in the fog as Rick says one of the most memorable closing lines to a movie: "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

3. "Citizen Kane" (1941)

What does "Rosebud" mean? That's the word MacGuffin director Orson Welles plugs into his classic movie, using it as a device to tell the life of Charles Foster Kane (Welles). We learn the truth at the end, as objects of the late Kane are thrown into an incinerator, including his boyhood sled, called Rosebud.

2. "The Usual Suspects" (1995)

One of the most surprising endings in the history of movies, the reveal in the last few minutes that "Verbal" Kint (Kevin Spacey) is actually the legendary crime lord Keyser Söze is a twist that may never be duplicated.

1. "Planet of the Apes" (1968)

Thinking he has been on a planet where apes evolved from men, George Taylor (Charlton Heston) realizes that he has been on Earth the whole time after seeing a destroyed Statue of Liberty.

It's the most powerful movie ending of all time — not just because it's the perfect ending for a sci-fi movie made in the late 1960s, when the country was in turmoil and a sweet ending just wasn't on the cards, but because to this day it still has a strong shock effect.

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The 49 best closing lines in movies, from Alien to Apocalypse Now OLD

"I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

"This is Ripley, last survivor of the Nostromo, signing off."

"I'll be right here."

‘Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads!’

"After all, tomorrow is another day."

You may not have seen the films these closing lines are in, but chances you you've heard them many times before, so ingrained are they in cinematic lore.

Below is a list of all the films that have the greatest closing lines in cinema history.

Scroll through the gallery to see what made the list.

47 best movie closing lines

Other galleries you might like:

21 actors who took their roles so seriously it out of hand

37 best film twists of all time

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Screen Rant

20 best last lines in movie history.

When a film has the perfect final line, the audience goes home on a high, and these are some of the very best examples of that.

Read update

"I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." Interesting cinematography and engaging introductory scenes are vital to reel viewers into a film, but a final line is perhaps even more important. The last bit of spoken dialogue is what's most likely to stick with audiences, and, if it's particularly poignant, it can seriously boost a film's reputation.

The opening sentence in a story is often considered the most important because it sets the tone for everything that's still to come. But, for movies, the opposite is often true. The last line is so important to nail because it will send the audience out of the theater on the right emotional note. Having a perfect capper ensures the movie will linger in the viewer's head long after it's over.

The right parting words help to drive the story's theme home in a meaningful way, encapsulating its entire point. Some are incredibly famous examples, others perhaps a little less obvious. All of them wrap their respective movies up beautifully.

Updated on August 25, 2022 by Tanner Fox:

From old-school classics like Casablanca to modern masterpieces like Inglorious Basterds , these are the most remarkable final movie lines of all time.

Toy Story 3 (2010)

"so long, partner.".

Toy Story 3 ends on a note that is both beautiful and sob-inducing. The now-college-aged Andy gives all his old toys—including Buzz Lightyear and beloved cowboy doll Woody—to a little girl. He no longer needs them and decides to leave them in the hands of a child who will love them the way he did. After playing for a few moments, Andy hops in his car and drives away. As Woody watches him fade into the distance, he utters the bittersweet words, "so long, partner."

The entire Toy Story series deals with the connection between playthings and the children who own them. Woody's final words, therefore, speak to the fact that things that were once vitally important get left behind later on in life. In many respects, the last sentence is elegiac. It touches on the passing of youth and of more innocent times in life, but it also offers hope by pointing out that sharing toys helps keep the magic of play alive.

King Kong (1933)

"it was beauty killed the beast.".

The 1933 version of King Kong is an all-time classic thanks in no small part to its dramatic ending. After escaping a Broadway theater, the titular ape grabs Fay Wray's Ann and climbs up the Empire State Building. He is attacked by planes circling the building, shooting at him. Kong takes one of the planes down, but he ultimately loses his balance after being shot, leading him to fall to his death. On the ground, a police officer looks at the dead ape and says that the planes killed him. Filmmaker Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong) corrects the officer, saying "no, it wasn't the airplanes. It was Beauty killed the Beast."

Aside from the obvious reference to Beauty and the Beast, the line is powerful because it, ironically enough, humanizes Kong a little. For much of the film, he has been portrayed as a monster; a giant, crazed animal to be feared. These final words suggest that Kong had some kind of primitive feelings for Ann. Not love, necessarily, but a protective form of kinship. He may have been a beast, but he was a beast with heart.

Se7en (1995)

"ernest hemingway once wrote...".

Anyone who has ever seen Se7en cannot forget its harrowing ending. Killer John Doe (Kevin Spacey) reveals that he cut off the head of protagonist Mills' pregnant wife and stuck it in a box. He wants Mills (Brad Pitt) to kill him so that he can finish his series of murders based on the seven deadly sins. Mills' partner, Somerset (Morgan Freeman) tries to convince him not to shoot the killer because that would allow Doe to "win." Overcome with grief and a thirst for vengeance, Mills shoots him anyway. As the movie wraps up, Somerset, in voiceover, says, "Ernest Hemingway once wrote, 'The world is a fine place and worth fighting for.' I agree with the second part."

Se7en is one of the most nihilistic motion pictures ever made, and Somerset's quote reflects that. Over the course of the movie, he sees evidence that the world can be a pretty horrible place. He witnesses suffering and pain, capped by the emotional devastation of his partner. The really interesting thing, though, is that his parting words also offer a glimpse of hope—and the only one in Seven , for that matter.

Iron Man (2008)

"the truth is, i am iron man.".

The 2008 Marvel movie Iron Man tells Tony Stark's origin story , showing how the billionaire playboy industrialist develops his trademark suit of armor and starts fighting crime. His enemy in this case is Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges), his late father's old business partner, who also manages Stark Industries. Stane has a personal agenda that involves manipulating the company for his own personal gain. By the movie's end, he has a super-suit of his own, which he uses to battle Stark, but Iron Man wins. The next day, Tony stands at a press conference and makes a stunning confession: " the truth is, I am Iron Man."

The great thing about this final line is that it finds Tony Stark doing something few superheroes ever do, which publicly identifying himself. So many heroes invent personas specifically to prevent anyone from discovering their true identity. It's why Batman, Spider-Man, and so many others wear masks. Tony Stark, never one to do things in a conventional manner, defies tradition by letting the world know who the iron-clad hero they've been following really is.

Jaws (1975)

"i can't imagine why.".

Roy Scheider's Brody spends the movie trying to get the citizens of Amity Island—especially the town's mayor—to take his shark warnings seriously. At the end, an attempt to kill the shark takes place. It eats Quint (Robert Shaw), escapes an effort by Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) to spear it with poison, then attacks Brody, who is on a sinking boat. When the creature is finally killed, Brody quips, "I used to hate the water." Hooper replies, "I can't imagine why."

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This is a moment of much-needed levity after the nail-biting intensity of the final battle which everything else in Jaws skillfully builds toward. Brody is, of course, being ironic. If he ever had a reason to hate the water, it would be after the harrowing experience he's just had. Hooper plays along with the joke, and the audience gets a laugh that breaks the tension before the credits roll.

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

"i think this just might be my masterpiece.".

Inglourious Basterds remains one of Quentin Tarantino's most celebrated films, and that is undoubtedly due to its satisfying third act. While nowhere close to historically accurate, it's a fine example of cinematic wish fulfillment. Even more cheer-inducing is what happens in the finale; Lt. Raine (Brad Pitt) carves a swastika into the forehead of the movie's chief villain, SS Colonel Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz), and declares "I think this just might be my masterpiece."

While the line can certainly be taken literally, this could also be interpreted as the director inserting a comment about the film. Tarantino is known for several stellar films, and its status as a masterpiece isn't often contested.

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

"the stuff that dreams are made of.".

John Huston's 1941 noir masterpiece The Maltese Falcon is the story of private detective Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart), who is investigating a case involving a quest by multiple individuals to procure a falcon statue that is encrusted with jewels. Following a very complicated plot filled with unexpected twists and turns, Spade turns Brigid O'Shaughnessy (Mary Astor), the woman who hired him in the first place, over to the police for murder despite the fact that he has developed feelings for her. The final scene finds him with the statue in his hands. He's asked what it is, to which he replies "t he stuff that dreams are made of."

The Maltese Falcon has a plot that confuses a lot of viewers, at least on first viewing. The bottom line, though, is that it's about the way that the desire for anything valuable, monetary or otherwise, can lead people down dark roads in their efforts to obtain it.

The Matrix (1999)

"where we go from there is a choice i leave to you.".

The Matrix , released in 1999, dazzled audiences with its then-groundbreaking visuals and trippy philosophical elements. The story ends with the protagonist, Neo (Keanu Reeves), destroying the evil Agent Smith and learning how to control the Matrix. It's an action-filled finale that leads to Neo's poignant last words. In a phone call, he promises to essentially dismantle it all, creating a new world order, free of rules and controls. "Where we go from there is a choice I leave to you," he tells them before hanging up and flying off into the sky.

Everything about The Matrix is designed to make the viewer's head spin . It pulls together elements from a lot of disparate influences to ask what reality is and how anyone could really know if what they are experiencing is real. Neo's final words in the film play directly into this idea, even going so far as to suggest that reality is what people make it.

Goodfellas (1990)

"i get to live the rest of my life like a schnook.".

Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas is one of the definitive mob movies of all time. It is based on the true story of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), a guy who grew up idolizing gangsters as a kid. As a man, he makes his way into the Mafia, where he's guided by three mentors: Paulie Cicero (Paul Sorvino), Jimmy "the Gent" Conway (Robert DeNiro), and the volatile Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci). For a time, Hill enjoys the flash, the cash, and the fear-driven respect that comes from being a mobster. But, eventually, he's caught in a pinch by the Feds. After ratting out Paulie and Jimmy, he enters the Witness Protection Program. His days in the mob are officially over. Henry's summation of it all: "I get to live the rest of my life like a schnook."

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There is deep, delicious irony in this line. Henry wanted to become a mobster specifically so he wouldn't have to live life as an average Joe. He wanted money and power and influence, and he had those things. Crime, however, does not pay—or at least not for very long—and his house of cards comes crumbling down. Goodfellas ends with him stuck in the kind of lifestyle he always hoped to avoid.

The Dark Knight (2008)

"a watchful protector. a dark knight.".

The Dark Knight , directed by Christopher Nolan, is perhaps the best Batman story ever committed to film. It's dark and psychological, but also exciting as all get out. The final moments find the Caped Crusader (Christian Bale) in a tough spot. Harvey Dent, thought by many to be a hero, is dead. Batman knows that, if the citizens of crime-ridden Gotham learn of Dent's killing spree under his guise of Two-Face, all hope will go out the window. Everything will crumble. He convinces Lt. Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) to let him take responsibility for the murders to avoid the dispiriting consequences. Gordon reluctantly agrees. In voiceover, as Batman flees, viewers hear the cop state that "he's not our hero. He's a silent guardian. A watchful protector. A Dark Knight."

Those words are meaningful because the entire theme of The Dark Knight is meaningful . Most superhero stories end triumphantly with the good guy taking down the villain and receiving public adoration as a result. Not Nolan's tale; it finds Batman absorbing all of Gotham's rage and hostility in order to preserve an important ideal. The ending would be a downer were it not for Gordon's admiring words.

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

"alright, mr. demille, i'm ready for my close-up.".

In Sunset Boulevard, Gloria Swanson plays Norma Desmond, a one-time silent film star who dreams of being a big deal again. She lures screenwriter Joe Gillis (William Holden) into her scheme. He becomes a script doctor on what she intends to be her comeback project, a film she wants legendary filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille to direct. Following a lengthy series of complications, Joe essentially tells Norma that her dream will never come to fruition. She responds by shooting him. Upon being arrested, Norma, who is convinced that the newsreel cameras filming her capture are part of her movie production, exclaims, "Alright, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up."

This is certainly one of the most famous lines of dialogue—final or not—in cinematic history. They show the delusions of Norma Desmond, who remains a legend in her own mind. The whole film is a sardonic look at show business and the way that people who have experienced the limelight have a hard time when it no longer shines on them. Her parting words are Sunset Boulevard 's stinging, darkly funny punchline.

Fight Club (1999)

"you met me at a very strange time in my life.".

During its initial release in 1999, Fight Club was widely misunderstood. It was, in so many ways, a film ahead of its time. These days, the movie is seen as something of a modern classic, as well as a treatise on the cost of living in a world that is becoming increasingly materialistic and soulless. What Jack tells Marla at the end of the film underscores the primary idea behind the story which is that he has lost himself and can't quite find his way back.

Fight Club's ending scene is seriously audacious, offering a somewhat bleak outlook for the character going forward. His comment is a sick joke, which is perfectly in keeping with Fight Club 's entire aesthetic.

The Usual Suspects (1995)

"the greatest trick the devil ever pulled.".

The Usual Suspects isn't just a movie; it's a magic trick. Everything revolves around the identity of a mysterious criminal named Keyser Soze. The framing device entails the only guy who can pinpoint Soze, Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey) telling customs agent Dave Kujan (Chazz Palminteri) a long, complex story about how he entered the villain's world and took part in a heist.

In the movie's final minutes, the limping Verbal exits the police station, and viewers see his disability immediately disappear. Inside, the agent comes to the shocking realization that he just let the real Keyser Soze get away. The Usual Suspects ends with a callback in which Verbal provides a very telling quote: "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist. And like that... he is gone."

Casablanca (1942)

"i think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.".

In the all-time classic Casablanca , American expatriate/nightclub owner Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) is reunited with an old lover, Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman). Rick wants to help Ilsa and her husband escape to America. Old feelings are rekindled, though, and there's a part of Rick that just wants to keep Ilsa around for himself. She's considering the idea, too. In the end, though, he puts her on a plane to safety. The movie ends with police boss Captain Louis Renault (Claude Rains) suggesting that he and Rick join the Free French army. His response: "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

That line has several layers, but, most prominently, it acknowledges that their relationship has changed. Renault, for starters, has come around and decided to take up the Allied cause. He and Rick suddenly have things of substance in common. Previously, their dealings were driven by individual self-interest. Now, they are on the same side of a political cause. The line also offers up a little hope for Rick, who just sent the love of his life away. He may be sad, but he's got a new direction, plus someone to go down that road with.

Chinatown (1974)

"forget it, jake. it's chinatown.".

Roman Polanski's Chinatown provides Jack Nicholson with one of his most iconic roles, that of private investigator Jake Gittis. He uncovers a corruption scandal within the Los Angeles Department of Power and Water. There is an attempt to dry up land to drive orange-growers out of business. Their land will then be re-watered, leading to growth and prosperity for the new owners. At every turn, there are bribes, lies, cover-ups, and conspiracies. The mystery ends with a revelation of incest, the death of a major character, and a lot of bad people still left to do their thing. Gittes is not happy. One of his associates leads him away from the scene of a standoff, offering the advice, "forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown."

There are few lines in all of cinema as cynical as that one. The point, driven home so forcefully in those five words, is that corruption is so deeply ingrained in the situation Jake is investigating that he's wasting his time trying to expose or change it. Chinatown was released in 1974, when Richard Nixon and the Watergate scandal were on the US's collective mind. The movie's suggestion that power and corruption are inextricably connected certainly gave it resonance for audiences of that era.

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

"i'll be right here.".

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial tracks the relationship between an adorable alien visitor who has accidentally been stranded on Earth and the young boy he befriends. Together, they attempt to assemble a "phone" that E.T. can use to call home. They succeed, and, in the end, they're forced to say an emotional goodbye before the little Reese's Pieces-eater hops on his starship. Elliott is visibly upset about having to part, so his intergalactic buddy lights up his finger, points it at the boy, and informs him "I'll be right here."

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It's virtually impossible not to tear up in this touching, heartfelt moment. By this point in the movie, fans have fallen completely in love with E.T., so his departure affects them as much as it does Elliott.

Some Like It Hot (1959)

"well, nobody's perfect.".

Billy Wilder's Some Like It Hot revolves around two musicians, Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon), who witness a gangster murder. In order to avoid being found, they dress up as women and invent new personas for themselves: Josephine and Daphne. A recurring bit in the movie finds millionaire Osgood Fielding III (Joe E. Brown) falling for Daphne. This pays off in the final scene, where they're driving a yacht away from a pier. Osgood announces his intention to marry Daphne, at which point Jerry rips off the wig and exposes himself as a man. Without missing a beat, Osgood retorts, "well, nobody's perfect."

Some Like It Hot came out in 1959, a time when subjects such as sexual/gender identity and cross-dressing were still very much taboo onscreen. The movie used broad humor to touch on these subjects, making for an incredibly daring comedy for the time.

Back to the Future (1985)

"roads where we're going, we don't need roads.".

After a near-catastrophic experience that nearly erases his own existence, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) returns to the present day, thinking that his jaunts through time are over. Then, Doc arrives in the DeLorean, informing him that there's a personal crisis in his future. Marty asks if there are roads in the future, to which Doc (Christopher Lloyd) replies, "Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads!" The DeLorean then launches into the air and zooms right toward the camera.

For a movie as fantastical as Back to the Future , there could be no more perfect final words, and it's not because they set up a sequel. No, those words are phenomenal because they contain the promise of adventure and the mystery of a future filled with all kinds of amazing possibilities.

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

"auntie em, there's no place like home".

Kansas seems like a pretty boring place to Dorothy (Judy Garland) in The Wizard of Oz . It's dusty and desolate, and there's not much to do. No wonder she dreams of going " somewhere over the rainbow. " She gets her wish when a tornado hits and whisks her off to the magical land of Oz, where she makes some hip new friends and has to contend with a wicked witch and her flying monkeys. Eventually, all is revealed to be a dream, one from which she gladly awakens. Dorothy, relieved to be away from all that drama, looks at her aunt and exclaims "Auntie Em, there's no place like home!"

The movie's theme could not be laid out any more succinctly; The Wizard of Oz is about a number of things, but nothing more than the idea of home. Sure, Kansas feels dull to Dorothy, but it's where the people who love her are. Only after getting away from it for a while does she realize just how happy she is there.

Caddyshack (1980)

"hey, everybody we're all gonna get laid".

Caddyshack takes place at Bushwood Country Club, an establishment filled with rich uptight socialites, most notably Judge Elihu Smails (Ted Knight). Into this upper-crust club comes condo developer Al Czervik (Rodney Dangerfield). The audience is told he's offensive to Smails and the others because he's brash and tacky, but the unspoken implication is that he's unwelcome because he's Jewish. Al takes Smails on in a high-stakes golfing grudge match with an assist from caddy Danny Noonan (Michael O'Keefe), whose cardinal sin is coming from a working-class family. They win, much to the judge's dismay. His opponent duly humiliated, Al turns to the throng of spectators and gleefully announces "Hey, everybody! We're all gonna get laid!"

Given that Caddyshack is filled with undertones about prejudice of all stripes, Al's victory statement sends a message that a new day has dawned at Bushwood. The elitist snobs are no longer in charge. Everyone is now free to have a good time at the club no matter who they are, where they come from, or how much money they have.

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Literature's greatest closing paragraphs - best book endings of all time

Brilliant endings that will stay with you.

Writing the opening lines of a book is easy. Not that we’ve done it or anything. But just think of all the words that exist – you can choose any that you like. Just start bashing them out – words, words, words… And then you can go anywhere you like. Probably.

Writing the closing lines and/or paragraphs, however, now that’s hard. How to tie up your intricate web of intrigue? How to finish on a high?

Let’s leave it to the masters, eh? For your entertainment and intellectual wellbeing, 30 of the best closing lines in literature. Bang. The End.

The best book endings

1 . Animal Farm (George Orwell)

The creatures outside looked from pig to man; and from man to pig; and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.

2 . A Tale Of Two Cities (Charles Dickens)

It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest than I go to than I have ever known.

3 . The Great Gatsby (F Scott Fitzgerald )

So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

4 . The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn (Mark Twain)

But I reckon I got to light out for the Territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me and I can’t stand it. I been there before.

5 . The Road (Cormac McCarthy)

Once there were brook trout in the streams in the mountains. You could see them standing in the amber current where the white edges of their fins wimpled softly in the flow. They smelled of moss in your hand. Polished and muscular and torsional. On their backs were vermiculate patterns that were maps of the world in its becoming. Maps and mazes. Of a thing which could not be put back. Not be made right again. In the deep glens where they lived all things were older than man and they hummed of mystery.

6 . Picture Of Dorian Gray (Oscar Wilde)

When they entered, they found hanging upon the wall a splendid portrait of their master as they had last seen him, in all the wonder of his exquisite youth and beauty. Lying on the floor was a dead man, in evening dress, with a knife in his heart. He was withered, wrinkled, and loathsome of visage. It was not till they had examined the rings that they recognized who it was.

7 . Crime And Punishment (Dostoevsky)

But that is the beginning of a new story - the story of the gradual renewal of a man, the story of his gradual regeneration, of his passing from one world into another, of his initiation into a new unknown life. That might be the subject of a new story, but our present story is ended.

8 . Catcher In The Rye (JD Salinger)

Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.

9 . The Stranger (Albert Camus)

And I too felt ready to live my life again. As if this great outburst of anger had purged all my ills, killed all my hopes, I looked up at the mass of signs and stars in the night sky and laid myself open for the first time to the benign indifference of the world. And finding it so much like myself, in fact so fraternal, I realised that I’d been happy, and that I was still happy. For the final consummation and for me to feel less lonely, my last wish was that there should be a crowd of spectators at my execution and that they should greet me with cries of hatred.

10 . Wuthering Heights (Emily Brontë)

I lingered round them, under that benign sky; watched the moths fluttering among the heath, and hare-bells; listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass; and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth.

11 . Heart Of Darkness (Joseph Conrad)

The offing was barred by a black bank of clouds, and the tranquil waterway leading to the uttermost ends of the earth flowed sombre under an overcast sky – seemed to lead into the heart of an immense darkness.

12 . Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland (Lewis Carroll)

Lastly, she pictured to herself how this same little sister of hers would, in the after-time, be herself a grown woman; and how she would keep, through all her riper years, the simple and loving heart of her childhood; and how she would gather about her other little children, and make their eyes bright and eager with many a strange tale, perhaps even with the dream of Wonderland of long ago; and how she would feel with all their simple sorrows, and find a pleasure in all their simple joys, remembering her own child-life, and the happy summer days.

13 . Anna Karenina (Leo Tolstoy)

I shall go on in the same way, losing my temper with Ivan the coachman, falling into angry discussions, expressing my opinions tactlessly; there will be still the same wall between the holy of holies of my soul and other people, even my wife; I shall still go on scolding her for my own fright and being remorseful for it; I shall still be as unable to understand with my reason why I pray, and I shall still go on praying; but my life now, my whole life apart from anything that can happen to me, every minute of it is no more meaningless, as it was before, but it has the positive meaning of goodness, which I have the power to put into it.

14 . Post Office (Charles Bukowski)

In the morning it was morning and I was still alive. Maybe I'll write a novel, I thought. And then I did.

15 . The Dead (James Joyce)

A few light taps upon the pane made him turn to the window. It had begun to snow again. He watched sleepily the flakes, silver and dark, falling obliquely against the lamplight. The time had come for him to set out on his journey westward. Yes, the newspapers were right: snow was general all over Ireland. It was falling on every part of the dark central plain, on the treeless hills, falling softly upon the Bog of Allen and, farther westward, softly falling into the dark mutinous Shannon waves. It was falling, too, upon every part of the lonely churchyard on the hill where Michael Furey lay buried. It lay thickly drifted on the crooked crosses and headstones, on the spears of the little gate, on the barren thorns. His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living and the dead.

16 . On The Road (Jack Kerouac)

So in America when the sun goes down and I sit on the old broken-down river pier watching the long, long skies over New Jersey and sense all that raw land that rolls in one unbelievable huge bulge over to the West Coast, and all that road going, all the people dreaming in the immensity of it, and in Iowa I know by now the children must be crying in the land where they let the children cry, and tonight the stars'll be out, and don't you know that God is Pooh Bear? the evening star must be drooping and shedding her sparkler dims on the prairie, which is just before the coming of complete night that blesses the earth, darkens all rivers, cups the peaks and folds the final shore in, and nobody, nobody knows what's going to happen to anybody besides the forlorn rags of growing old, I think of Dean Moriarty, I even think of Old Dean Moriarty the father we never found, I think of Dean Moriarty.

17 . The Trial (Franz Kafka)

But the hands of one of the gentleman were laid on K.’s throat, while the other pushed the knife deep into his heart and twisted it there, twice. As his eyesight failed, K. saw the two gentlemen cheek by cheek, close in front of his face, watching the result. “Like a dog!” he said, it was as if the shame of it should outlive him.

18 . The Big Sleep (Raymond Chandler)

What did it matter where you lay once you were dead? In a dirty sump or on a marble tower on top of a high hill? You were dead, you were sleeping the big sleep, you were not bothered by things like that. Oil and water were the same as wind and air to you. You just slept the big sleep, not caring about the nastiness of how you died or where you fell. Me, I was part of the nastiness now. Far more a part of it than Rusty Regan was. But the old man didn’t have to be. He could lie quiet on his canopied bed with his bloodless hands folded on the sheet waiting. His heart was a brief uncertain murmur. His thoughts were as gray as ashes. And in little while, he too, like Rusty Regan would be sleeping the big sleep. On the way downtown I stopped at a bar and had a couple of double Scotches. They didn’t do me any good. All they did was make me think of Silver-Wig and I never saw her again.

19 . The Bell Jar (Sylvia Plath)

The eyes and faces all turned themselves towards me, and guiding myself by them, as by a magical thread, I stepped into the room

20 . Trainspotting (Irvine Welsh)

He had done what he had wanted to do. He could now never go back to Leith, to Edinburgh, even to Scotland, ever again. There, he could not be anything other than he was. Now, free from them all, for good, he could be what he wanted to be. He’d stand or fall alone. This thought both terrified and excited him as he contemplated life in Amsterdam.

21 . Killing Floor (Lee Child)

I had tears in my eyes for more than a hundred miles. Then the old bus rattled over the state line. I looked out at the southeast corner of Alabama. Opened Roscoe's envelope. It was the photograph of Joe. She'd taken it from Molly Beth's valise. Taken it out of the frame. Trimmed it with scissors to fit my pocket. On the back she had written her telephone number. But I didn't need that. I had already committed it to memory.

22 . Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)

Slowly, very slowly, like two unhurried compass needles, the feet turned towards the right; north, north-east, east, south-east, south, south-south-west; then paused, and, after a few seconds, turned as unhurriedly back towards the left. South-south-west, south, south-east, east

23 . Emma (Jane Austen)

But, in spite of these deficiencies, the wishes, the hopes, the confidence, the predictions of the small band of true friends who witnessed the ceremony, were fully answered in the perfect happiness of the union.

24 . Norwegian Wood (Haruki Murakami)

Gripping the receiver, I raised my head and turned to see what lay beyond the telephone booth. Where was I now? I had no idea. No idea at all. Where was this place? All that flashed into my eyes were the countless shapes of people walking by to nowhere. Again and again, I called out for Midori from the dead center of this place that was no place

25 . American Psycho (Bret Easton Ellis)

Someone has already taken out a Minolta cellular phone and called for a car, and then, when I'm not really listening, watching instead someone who looks remarkably like Marcus Halberstam paying a check, someone asks, simply, not in relation to anything, "Why?" and though I'm very proud that I have cold blood and that I can keep my nerve and do what I'm supposed to do, I catch something, then realize it: Why? and automatically answering, out of the blue, for no reason, just opening my mouth, words coming out, summarizing for the idiots: "Welll, though I know I should have done that instead of not doing it, I'm twenty-seven for Christ sakes and this is, uh, how life presents itself in a bar or in a club in New York, maybe anywhere, at the end of the century and how people, you know, me, behave, and this is what being Patrick means to me, I guess, so well, yup, uh..." and this is followed by a sigh, then a slight shrug and another sigh, and above one of the doors covered by red velvet drapes in Harry's is a sign and on the sign in letters that match the drapes' color are the words THIS IS NOT AN EXIT.

26 . To The Lighthouse (Virginia Woolf)

Yes, she thought, laying down her brush in extreme fatigue, I have had my vision.

27 . Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows (JK Rowling)

The scar had not pained Harry for nineteen years. All was well.

28 . The Unnamable (Samuel Beckett)

Perhaps it’s done already, perhaps they have said me already, perhaps they have carried me to the threshold of my story, before the door that opens on my story, that would surprise me, if it opens, it will be I, it will be the silence, where I am, I don’t know, I’ll never know, in the silence you don’t know, you must go on, I can’t go on, I’ll go on.

29 . Lolita (Vladimir Nabokov)

The following decision I make with all the legal impact and support of a signed testament: I wish this memoir to be published only when Lolita is no longer alive.

Thus, neither of us is alive when the reader opens this book. But while the blood still throbs through my writing hand, you are still as much part of blessed matter as I am, and I can still talk to you from here to Alaska. Be true to your Dick. Do not let other fellows touch you. Do not talk to strangers. I hope you will love your baby. I hope it will be a boy. That husband of yours, I hope, will always treat you well, because otherwise my specter shall come at him, like black smoke, like a demented giant, and pull him apart nerve by nerve. And do not pity C. Q. One had to choose between him and H.H., and one wanted H.H. to exist at least a couple of months longer, so as to have him make you live in the minds of later generations. I am thinking of aurochs and angels, the secret of durable pigments, prophetic sonnets, the refuge of art. And this is the only immortality you and I may share, my Lolita.

30 . Any Human Heart (William Boyd)

Life in the old dog. Life – still living, pleased to have managed to live in every decade of this long benighted century. What a time I’ve had – quel parcours, as the French say. I think a drink is called for. Yes, absolutely – I will open a chill bottle of white wine and take it out and sit under the big chestnut and drink a toast to Logan Mountstuart. Every decade. All my ups and downs. My personal rollercoaster. Not so much a rollercoaster - a rollercoaster's too smooth - a yo-yo rather - a jerking, spinning toy in the hands of a maladroit child, more like, trying too hard, too impatiently eager to learn how to operate his new yo-yo.

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The 10 best… closing lines of books

The great gatsby by f scott fitzgerald.

"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." Fitzgerald hypnotises successive generations of readers with this tale. Nick Carraway's signing off after the death of Gatsby is my favourite last line in the Anglo-American tradition – resonant, memorable and profound. It hovers between poetry and the vernacular and is the magnificent chord, in a minor key, which brings this 20th-century masterpiece to a close. Somehow, it sums up the novel completely, in tone as much as meaning, while giving the reader a way out into the drabber, duller world of everyday reality.

Ulysses by James Joyce

"I was a Flower of the mountain yes when I put the rose in my hair like the Andalusian girls used or shall I wear a red yes and how he kissed me under the Moorish wall and I thought well as well him as another… then he asked me would I yes to say yes my mountain flower and first I put my arms around him yes and drew him down to me so he could feel my breasts all perfume yes and his heart was going like mad and yes I said yes I will Yes." Joyce is the master of the closing line and this is his most famous and most suggestive. Compare it with the end of The Dead , his short story that concludes Dubliners : "His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living and the dead."

Middlemarch by George Eliot

"But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs." Middlemarch is many readers' favourite Eliot novel, with so many quotable passages. This passage is almost a credo – a lovely, valedictory celebration of Dorothea's quiet life, after she has renounced Casaubon's fortune and confessed her love for Ladislaw.

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

"The offing was barred by a black bank of clouds, and the tranquil waterway leading to the uttermost ends of the earth flowed sombre under an overcast sky – seemed to lead into the heart of an immense darkness." Conrad's merciless short novel (fewer than 40,000 words) opens on the Thames and ends there, too. The last line of Marlowe's astounding confession is an admission of his complicity in the terrible events he has just described as a reluctant witness. It also executes a highly effective narrative diminuendo in an extraordinary fictional nightmare. Compare George Orwell's chilling return to the status quo in another nightmare, Nineteen Eighty Four : "He loved Big Brother."

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

"But I reckon I got to light out for the Territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she's going to adopt me and sivilize me and I can't stand it. I been there before." This is a heartbreaker. Twain rounds off his masterpiece by saying that Huck Finn is fated, like all Americans, to an incessant quest for the challenge of the frontier. For sheer teenage disaffection, it's matched by the last line of Catcher in the Rye: "Don't tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody." And also from the US, let's not forget Margaret Mitchell's ending to Gone With the Wind: "After all, tomorrow is another day." Pure hokum, like the novel.

To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf

"Yes, she thought, laying down her brush in extreme fatigue, I have had my vision." And she has. Lily's closing words complete the circle of consciousness. Virginia Woolf was good at last lines and was always a decisive closer. Mrs Dalloway , whose first line famously has Woolf's protagonist buying the flowers herself, ends with: "It is Clarissa, he said. For there she was." That's the perfect conclusion, to a nervy climax, nailed in nine words.

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

"The knife came down, missing him by inches, and he took off." The spirit of Bugs Bunny inspires the finale of Yossarian's adventures with 256th Squadron. It's the moment in which Yossarian, who has been in thrall to Catch-22 throughout, finally breaks away. Yossarian has come to realise that Catch-22 does not actually exist, but because the powers that be claim it does, and the world believes it does, it nevertheless has potent effects. Indeed, because it does not exist, there is no way it can be repealed, undone, overthrown, or denounced. But here, finally, he can become free.

Speak Memory by Vladimir Nabokov

"There, in front of us, where a broken row of houses stood between us and the harbour, and where the eye encountered all sorts of stratagems, such as pale-blue and pink underwear cakewalking on a clothesline, or a lady's bicycle and a striped cat oddly sharing a rudimentary balcony of cast iron, it was most satisfying to make out among the jumbled angles of roofs and walls, a splendid ship's funnel, showing from behind the clothesline as something in a scrambled picture – Find What the Sailor Has Hidden – that the finder cannot unsee once it has been seen." A brilliant, and moving, mixture of perception and reality. Contrast the incoherent end of William Burroughs's Naked Lunch , "No got … C'lom Fliday."

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

"I lingered round them, under that benign sky; watched the moths fluttering among the heath, and hare-bells; listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass; and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth." Brontë's masterpiece is often cited for its gothic morbidity and intoxicating romantic darkness, but here – stepping back from the tragedy of Heathcliff and Catherine – the novel displays an acute evocation of Yorkshire combined with memorable poetic grandeur. This note of redemption promises a better future in the union of Cathy and Hareton.

The Tale of Samuel Whiskers by Beatrix Potter

" But Tom Kitten has always been afraid of a rat; he never durst face anything bigger than – A Mouse. " Children's books should not be overlooked. Potter earns her slot with this chilling, but playful, ending to a spine-tingler by a writer who loved to explore the world of juvenile suspense. Perhaps in honour of the late Maurice Sendak we should also mention "And it was still warm", the payoff to Where the Wild Things Are . And JK Rowling has a well-earned closer to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows : "The scar had not pained Harry for 19 years. All was well."

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How To End An Email: Best Email Sign Offs

Why is a professional email sign-off important.

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How to close an email – 40 email closing lines, phrases & sentences

Wondering how to close an email? This blog post features 40 email ending examples that will help you to choose email closing line, sentence or phrase as a closing statement.

Samuli Pehkonen

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Closing words for an email can be notoriously hard to nail. There is more than meets the eye about those end of email sayings, conclusion words, and remarks. Yet, it's hard to put your finger on how they exactly affect the delivery of your message. 

"How to close an email then," you might ask. The email closing line –  also known as the email closing phrase or email closing sentence –  is the finishing sentence of your email, right before the sign-off and your name. "Thank you in advance," "Looking forward to hearing from you soon," and so forth.

Email closing lines and their counterpart email opening lines are essential for setting the tone of the email. In addition, those closure phrases bring any email message to the intended conclusion and deliver the message as you meant it.

When deciding on the best closing for an email, the most important thing is to consider who's the recipient, the nature of your relationship with them, and the intention of your message. 

It's good to have plenty of email-ending sentences in your toolkit not to have to spend time thinking – or googling them – on the go. That's why we have put together a comprehensive guide on English email closing phrases.

These formal, polite, professional, business, and informal email endings include 40 email closing sentence examples paired with the best email sign-offs that will help you to navigate any email closing remarks with ease.

Closing emails professionally has never been easier, just let Flowrite do the work for you. Try it for free to see the magic for yourself:

How to close an email – and why it's important that you do

No matter if it's a phone call, Zoom, or face-to-face conversation, you surely don't just disappear into thin air when you're done. You should approach closing your email the same way as concluding any other exchange to leave a good impression.

Email conclusions follow the same format where email closure remarks are followed with sign-off, the sender's name, and signature. Email ending should consist of four parts.

1. Email closing line

Closing lines of emails are commonly used email finishing sentences that signify the ending of the correspondence. "Thank you in advance" and similar phrases to close an email will help the sender deliver the message the way they intended.

2. Email sign-off‍

A sign-off is a word or phrase such as "Regards" that signals that your email has come to its end. The best email sign-off depends on the context. Also, don't forget to place a comma after it.

3. Your name

‍If you are on a first-name basis with the recipient, you can leave your last name out. Still, otherwise, it's best to use your full name to identify yourself and avoid any confusion.

4. Email Signature‍

Signature typically features your job title, organization, and contact information such as phone number, website, and address, and it's typically left out in an ongoing email exchange.

The identifying function of your email ending is pretty straightforward. Still, the devil is the details.

The closing of your email message will be the last thing that the recipient reads, so it can significantly impact the response you receive. Or if you hear back from someone at all. Best email conclusion is always written with intention so let's dive deeper into examples of different phrases to close an email in various situations.

40 email ending examples

We hate to say it, but the best phrases to end an email always depend on the context. Namely the recipient, your relationship to them, and the subject at hand.

That's why good closing remarks in an email can be anything from formal to informal. Still, in the business setting, you should keep to professional email endings to not break the email etiquette.

So, make sure to always pick the ending note for email according to the situation and the tone you want to deliver your email message with.

Next up, we will   have a total of 40 email closing sentence examples and matching email sign-offs so that you have plenty of email ending examples in your toolbox going forward.

Formal email endings – 10 formal email closing examples

Formal emails are the important emails you send to professors , officials, and now and then to representatives of other businesses. These emails are characterized by accurate grammar, punctuation, and spelling and adhere to proper email etiquette that all information your decision on the phrase to end a formal email.

Many of us don't need to send formal emails daily, but it's important to get formal email closing lines just right when we do. Examples of the situations when you need to use official email ending lines include choosing the closing line for a job application email or closing line for an email to a professor .

Below we have put together a list of formal email closing examples for various formal email exchanges.

• Thank you once more for your help in this matter
• Any assistance you could give me in this matter would be greatly appreciated
• Please accept this as my formal apology for…
• I would like to express my deep regrets for…
• We would like to apologize in advance for any inconvenience caused
• I am looking forward to hearing from you soon
• I would appreciate your immediate attention to this matter
• If I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me
• Thank you for your cooperation on this matter
• Once again, please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused

Does it still feel hard to choose the ending sentence for formal emails? Deciding on the best closing sentence for a formal email can be tricky. There's often a lot at stake with this communication. In addition to these formal email closing lines, you should also know the right sign-offs to pair with the closing sentence. Your options are as follows. 

• Respectfully
• Yours faithfully
• Kind regards

The above 10 formal email closing line examples will hopefully help you settle on a formal email closing line. However, suppose you are still unsure which phrase to end a formal email with. In that case, you can dive deeper into the topic with our article on  how to write a formal email .

Polite email ending – 10 polite email closing sentences

There are as many shades of politeness as possible recipients of your emails. As politeness is in the eye of the beholder, you want to come off as overly polite rather than rude.

For example, consider the difference between choosing a polite email closing sentence to your friend and choosing the closing line for an email to a professor. The best way to be safe than sorry is to put yourself in the recipient's shoes and try to see their message through their eyes.

Being polite, however, doesn't have to mean being formal. In fact, formalities often come off as stiff. Especially when it comes to choosing polite sentences to end an email, our advice is not to get hung up on details but to adhere to good manners.

• Thank you for your understanding
• Please let me know your thoughts on this matter
• Would you please let me know if you need an extension?
• Please let me know if that is acceptable to you
• Any help you can offer me would be greatly appreciated
• I hope you have a good evening/day/week/weekend
• I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon (and if you don't here's how to send a polite reminder email )
• Please let me know if there's anything else that I can do to help
• Please feel free to contact me if you need any further information
• Please let me know if you have any questions

One of the best ways to match the politeness is to mirror the tone of the recipient's previous email to you. This trick comes especially handy when pairing polite email closing sentences to an email sign-off.

• Best wishes

Nailing your email ending shouldn't be too hard with the help of these examples of polite sentences to choose from when sending an email. But in case you want to learn more about managing the tone of your emails, our article on  email's tone  goes deeper than our listing on polite email closing sentences.

Professional email endings – 10 professional email closing lines

Typically professional emails exist in the hard-to-define middle ground between formal and friendly. That's why finessing work emails can prove to be more challenging than many of us think.

For example, closing an email professionally requires a toolbox full of proper email closings, including professional email ending phrases and sign-offs, and an ability to navigate the multifaceted interpersonal relationships at work.

Just how often have you found yourself ending a work email and then obsessing over details such as whether you came up with good closing remarks in an email? Don't get us wrong.

It's essential to stop and think before hitting 'Send,' but these examples should help you get the job done faster the next time you wonder how to conclude a professional email. 

• All the best with…
• Thank you so much for being so patient.
• Please advise as necessary
• I really appreciate the help/support/time/assistance
• Any assistance you could give would be greatly appreciated
• We look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter
• Please let me know if you need to reschedule
• Please let me know if that sounds okay to you
• If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me
• I will follow up on this next week

Despite many workplaces leaning towards more informal communication nowadays, you always want to be polite and friendly in internal emails. Not to mention when communicating with someone outside your company.

It's simply a matter of professionalism. These are the ways to sign off an email in the conversion when you need professional closing for your email.

• Best regards

There is no reason to second guess how to conclude a professional email anymore, right? When you have familiarized yourself with professional email ending phrases, you should also learn more about the nuances of  professional email sign-offs . These two articles will make closing any email professionally a breeze.

Business email endings – 10 business email closing phrases

How do I write closing remarks for my business email? Whatever you do, make sure not to overlook them.

The ending sentence is the last thing your recipient reads, thus defining how they respond to your message. Business email closing lines come in many different forms depending on whether you engage with existing customers, new partners, or potential vendors.

Your approach to business email closing sentences should follow the same rules and conventions as with other aspects of business emails. 

• I appreciate your cooperation
• Thank you for your help/support/time/assistance
• Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience.
• Hope you have a good vacation/journey home...
• Looking forward to getting your input on this
• Please let me know when it might be a good time to…
• We hope that we may continue to rely on your valued custom
• We look forward to a successful working relationship in the future
• Please let me know if there's anything else that I can do for you.
• In the meantime, if you need any more information, please don't hesitate to contact me
• It is great to connect with you and I look forward to speaking more soon (after introducing yourself )

Business etiquette is more liberal than it used to be. This means you can take more liberties with the business email closing statement and sign-offs. The above examples on business email closing sentences can be paired with sign-offs that reflect the status of your relationship with the person you're emailing to.

For example, consider the difference between how you would write a sales email closing line to new prospects and existing clients.

It's good to note that business email etiquette differs from country to country. So before you go ahead and choose way too casual business email ending sentences, you might want to recap our  email etiquette tips .

Informal email endings – 10 informal email closing sentences

How to close an informal email? To be blunt about it, however you wish. When emailing with friends and family, you can be as casual as your relationship warrants. The examples we've covered before have been workplace-appropriate.

Still, the same rules and conventions don't apply when communicating with your close ones. That's why you shouldn't overthink informal email closing sentences but merely go with what feels right. 

• Sorry for the trouble
• Thanks a lot/a million/a ton...
• Hope the above is useful to you
• Good luck with….
• Let me know if you run into any problems
• Let me know if that's ok
• I'll phone you…
• Speak to you soon/later/on Monday/next...
• Write soon!
• Say “Hi” to <Name> from me/Please send my best to <Name>/Send my love to <Name>...

The lines between our professional and personal lives have increasingly blurred. Work emails can reassemble text messages at times. Still, some ways to close an email – starting from slang to "Love" or "Kisses" – should be exclusively reserved for home.

However, some email sign-offs manage to reflect the appropriate warmth and relaxed atmosphere in the informal correspondence without the risk of sounding cheesy or phlegmatic.

Even though this part of the article was undoubtedly the easiest to grasp, let's make one thing crystal clear before concluding: informal email closing sentences should be reserved for your free time. But as long as it's for your nearest and dearest, you can pick next to any email conclusion sentence that your heart desires.

Phrases to close an email (and blog post) with

If you made it to this part of this article – congratulations! You've now learned 40 email closing lines and countless combinations of how to close an email.

Whether you are writing formal, polite, professional, business, or informal emails, there's an email finishing sentence you can use among these options.

With these email closing sentences in your toolbox, writing emails should be easier than ever before – knowing the correct closing phrases that you can use over and over again will help you save time and communicate clearly.

For future reference, you should bookmark this page to conveniently access these email closing sentence examples whenever you're in doubt about the best closing for an email. And while you're at it, you might want to check out these 100 email opening lines, phrases and sentences .

While you are at it, perhaps you want to share these English email closing phrases with your colleagues and friends so that you all can start to communicate more effectively via email with the best phrases to end an email?

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17 Closing Lines Completely Sabotaging Your Outreach Emails

Updated: June 10, 2021

Published: July 07, 2017

I read more than 100 outreach emails last week looking for examples for a post on powerful closing lines. But instead of inspiration, I mostly found examples of what not to do.

A bad final line can completely wreck your email. Not only is it the last thing your prospect reads, research shows it’s actually the most memorable element of the entire message.

The takeaway: If you want buyers to take you seriously and follow your call-to-action, you can’t screw up the last sentence. Read on for the lines you should never use again.

17 Terrible Email Closing Lines

1) “is [product] something you’d be interested in”.

The answer might seem obvious to you, but the buyer needs more information before they can definitively say whether your product could be a good fit.

Plus, your email should end with a clear, specific, and relatively simple next step. If you don’t show your prospect a clear way forward, they’re probably not going to take action of their own accord. Buyers usually have multiple tasks and a long queue of other messages to tackle.

That means they don’t have the time or mental energy necessary to figure out their next move with you. Doing so is your responsibility.

2) “I know our product is a perfect solution for your needs.”

It’s pretty rare to have the “perfect” solution for someone’s needs. More likely, your product is the best fit or the strongest option. This sounds like an oversell, which will automatically damage your credibility.

Claiming 100% certainty before you’ve ever spoken with the buyer makes this line even more obnoxious.

3) “You’re probably not struggling with any of these issues. However, if you are, my customers have found that a quick call is the easiest way to determine if we’d be able to help.”

I was baffled to see this line in an outreach email I got last week. If the sales rep doubted that I was experiencing the challenges he’d just named, then why mention them?

This line would have been much stronger if he’d simply written, “If you’re struggling with any of these, my customers have found … ”

4) “If you’re not the best person at [company] to connect with about this, I’d love if you could direct me to the right one.”

There are two major problems with this parting line. One, you should be fairly confident that you’re emailing the right person. If you can’t tell who that is based on job title, use LinkedIn to research their individual responsibilities.

Second, never start a sentence with “I’d love … ” -- or any phrase focused on what you want, for that matter. Sales isn't about the salesperson, it's about the buyer. Don’t ask your prospects to do anything that’s in your best interest rather than theirs.

5) “I look forward to meeting your every need.”

Are you actually going to meet the buyer’s every need? Of course not -- they have a whole range of needs, and you’re trying to help with a specific one.

Promising to solve all of their problems won’t make them like or trust you more, it’ll only make them roll their eyes.

6) “We would be ecstatic to have you as a customer.”

Every interaction with your prospect should feel as natural and comfortable as possible -- and when was the last time you actually referred to yourself as “we” during conversation? Probably never.

As a general rule, you shouldn’t write anything in email you wouldn’t say out loud. Unless you’re genuinely speaking for the company as a whole (for instance, “We help clients improve quality by 10% on average”), use the first person.

Also, steer clear of over-the-top words like “ecstatic,” “thrilled,” or “elated.” People don’t like being pandered to, and these sound hyperbolic.

7) “If there is any more information we can provide, please let us know.”

Prospecting emails should be as short as possible. (After all, you’re working with limited attention spans and frequently, tiny screens.)

Don’t waste valuable real estate telling prospects you’d be happy to send them more information. If you actually want to seem helpful, provide value to them in your email. You’ll make the same point far more convincingly.

8) “Thanks in advance.”

This closing line is guaranteed to grate on your prospect’s nerves. You’re expressing gratitude for something they’ve neither done nor agreed to -- which usually backfires and makes them less inclined to do whatever you’ve asked.

It also makes you look lazy, like you can’t be bothered to thank your prospect until after they've actually fulfilled your ask.

9) “Thanks for your time.”

You won’t offend anyone with this final line, but you won’t impress anyone, either. It’s completely forgettable.

In addition, remember that you’re kicking off a mutually beneficial relationship. “Thanks for your time” makes it seem like the prospect is doing you a favor -- but the value is going to flow both ways.

10) “When, if ever, would be a good time to chat?”

Don’t shoot yourself in the foot by adding “if ever” to your question. If you’ve properly explained the reason you’re reaching out, why you’re doing it now, and how you can provide value to your prospect, anyone who's a good fit should be interested in talking to you.

That doesn’t mean every prospect will take you up on your offer -- but don’t plant the seed in their mind.

11) “When would be a good time to chat?”

Even without the qualifier, this closing line isn’t great. You might think you’re doing your prospect a favor by accommodating her schedule; however, you’re actually creating more work for her.

She’ll need to pull up her calendar, find an open slot, ask if you’re free during that time, and finally, book the meeting. And if you aren’t available, there’ll even more back-and-forth.

Just the thought of all this often exhausts people -- so they’re programmed to reject the offer.

To reduce the cognitive load of your ask, provide specific options like, “Are you free Wednesday at 10 a.m. or Thursday at 2 p.m.?”

Better yet, use the HubSpot Sales Meetings app . Prospects can see your availability and instantly book a mutually compatible time.

12) “Are you free on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. so I can give you a demo?”

Asking for a demo in your initial email is like the waiter requesting a tip when he seats you: That step will happen, but you have to prove your worth first.

Once you’ve established trust with the buyer and shown them your product’s value, they’ll be eager to look under the hood.

13) ““Are you free on Thursday from 9-10 a.m. so I can walk you through the product?”

If it looks like a demo, sounds like a demo, and acts like a demo ... it’s a demo. Asking a buyer if you can “walk them through the solution,” “give them a tour of the product,” or “see it in action” is a demo request in different words.

Again, right move, wrong time.

14) “When you’ve got the chance, please give me a call at 867-5309.”

This suggested next step is far too vague. Your prospect doesn’t know when you’re free to talk on the phone, so they’re probably not going to call.

And if they do, and you’re already talking to someone? Now you’ve extended the process of connecting by anywhere from a couple hours to a couple weeks, since you need to reconvene and find a time that works for both of you.

Fortunately, you can dramatically shrink the timeline by giving them a couple dates and times to speak.

15) “I look forward to hearing back from you at your earliest convenience.”

If only instilling urgency in your prospect was this simple.

Unfortunately, this line isn’t just ineffective -- it also sounds presumptuous. The buyer has no idea whether your product is a good fit for their needs, so they’re probably not dropping everything to return your email. Assuming you’ll get a response “at their earliest convenience” screams arrogance.

16) "Are you open to learning more about [company] and our capabilities?"

It doesn't matter who the recipient is or what they do, the answer to this question is "no." Your prospect may be interested in getting unique data, competitive intelligence, or surprising insights from you ... which will potentially lead to a conversation about your product and how it can help them accomplish their business goals.

But notice the focus is about the buyer, not you. Take a "me first" approach, and you're guaranteed to be denied.

17) "Let me know if I can get on your dance card this week."

Being a bit cheeky can help you break through the noise and show your prospect you're not just a robot programmed to sell, but a real person with a sense of humor. This line, however, goes over the line from "funny" to "awkward."

I also came across an email that ended with, "You're the cool girl at the party I've always wanted to talk to. Make my dreams and schedule a call?" Again, while being memorable is a good thing, this salesperson had taken things too far.

If you're ever unsure whether your humor is inappropriate, leave the joke out. Better safe than sorry.

Recovering from a bad first impression is nearly impossible. So don’t set yourself up to fail: Remove these cringe-worthy lines from your outreach emails right away.

To learn what you should say instead, check out these email closing lines and email sign offs that'll make a powerful impression on prospects.

Don't forget to share this post!

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50 Witty Email Closing Lines to Stand Out with Your Sign-Off

• June 26, 2023

Welcome to the world of email closing lines, where the final words of your message hold the power to make an impact.

It’s like choosing the perfect dessert to conclude a scrumptious meal or finding the ideal punchline to wrap up a hilarious joke.

In this article, we’ll dive into the art of crafting captivating , witty , and memorable email closing lines that will make you the master of sign-offs.

So, get ready to add a sprinkle of personality, a dash of charm, and a pinch of creativity to your emails.

Let’s have some fun while leaving a lasting impression!

What is an Email Closing Line?

An email closing line is the final phrase or sentence you use to conclude your email and bid farewell to the recipient . It serves as the last impression you leave on the reader and can greatly impact the tone and overall effectiveness of your email communication. 

Crafting a thoughtful and engaging email closing line is essential to make your sign-off memorable and stand out in the recipient’s inbox.

With a variety of options available, such as witty email closing lines, professional email endings, or formal email closings, you have the opportunity to choose the perfect combination of words to leave a lasting impression .

Whether you’re looking for ways to end an email professionally, seeking closing phrases for emails, or simply exploring different closing examples for emails, this article will provide you with a wealth of ideas and inspiration to enhance your email communication.

How to End an Email Professionally

When it comes to ending an email professionally, there are several key strategies you can employ. First, consider the tone and purpose of your email to ensure your closing aligns with the overall message.

Next, let’s explore some effective tips for maintaining professionalism in your email closing. You’ll discover examples of professional email closing phrases that will help you leave a positive and lasting impression.

By following these recommendations, you’ll master the art of ending your emails professionally and leave recipients with a strong sense of your professionalism and competence.

Benefits of Using Witty Closing Lines

Using witty closing lines in your emails offers numerous benefits that can enhance your communication and leave a positive impression on the recipient. Here are some key advantages to consider:

Memorable and Stand Out

Using witty closing lines in your emails allows you to break free from the mundane and generic sign-offs that flood inboxes. By incorporating clever wordplay or humorous phrases, you create a memorable moment for the recipient.

It captures their attention and makes your email stand out in their memory . When they reflect on their email exchanges, yours will likely be the one that brings a smile to their face.

Foster Positive Relationships

Humor is a powerful tool for building connections and fostering positive relationships . By infusing your email closings with wit, you create a sense of camaraderie and approachability.

It shows the recipient that you’re not just a faceless sender, but someone with a genuine personality and a friendly demeanor. This can lead to stronger professional relationships, as it establishes a foundation of trust and likability.

Reflects Your Personality

Adding a touch of wit to your email closings allows your true personality to shine through . It’s an opportunity to showcase your sense of humor, creativity, and individuality.

Whether you’re known for your clever quips or subtle sarcasm, injecting your own unique style into your email sign-offs helps the recipient get to know you on a deeper level . It creates a more personal and authentic connection, making your emails more engaging and enjoyable to read.

Lightens the Mood

Emails can often be perceived as formal and business-oriented. However, by incorporating witty closing lines, you inject a dose of levity and playfulness into the conversation.

It helps to lighten the overall mood and tone of the email, making it a more enjoyable experience for both parties involved. The recipient will appreciate the lightheartedness and may respond with a similar tone , fostering a more relaxed and positive communication dynamic.

Differentiates You

In a world of generic email sign-offs, a witty closing line sets you apart from the crowd. It showcases your creativity and ability to think outside the box.

By crafting unique and clever phrases, you demonstrate that you pay attention to the details and go the extra mile to make your emails memorable. This differentiation can leave a lasting impression on the recipient and make you more memorable in their professional network.

Leaves a Lasting Impression

Witty email closings have a way of sticking in people’s minds. The humor creates an emotional connection and leaves a positive impression. When recipients recall their email exchanges, they are more likely to remember the enjoyable and witty moments .

This not only reinforces the impact of your message but also increases the likelihood of future engagement . Your emails become a source of positive associations, making recipients more inclined to open and respond to your messages.

By leveraging the benefits of witty closing lines in your emails, you can make a memorable impact, foster positive relationships, showcase your personality, create a lighthearted atmosphere, differentiate yourself, and leave a lasting impression.

So, don’t hesitate to infuse your email sign-offs with humor and watch as your communication becomes more engaging and enjoyable for all parties involved.

Closing Lines for Various Situations

Here are some examples of email closing lines for different situations and use cases:

A. Closing Lines for Formal Emails

When it comes to formal emails, the closing line serves as the final impression you leave on the recipient. It should reflect professionalism and courtesy. Here are ten examples of closing lines for formal emails:

• "I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter."
• "Thank you for considering my request."
• "I look forward to your response."
• "Should you require any further information, please let me know."
• "Your feedback is greatly appreciated."
• "I am at your disposal for any additional assistance."
• "Wishing you a productive day."
• "Thank you for your time and consideration."
• "I await your instructions regarding the next steps."
• "If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

B. Closing Lines for Informal Emails

Informal emails provide an opportunity to show a more relaxed and friendly tone while maintaining professionalism. Here are ten examples of closing lines for informal emails:

• “Let me know what you think!”
• “Looking forward to your input.”
• “Talk to you soon!”
• “Keep me posted.”
• “Have a great day!”
• “Take care and talk later.”
• “Can't wait to hear from you.”
• “Catch up with you soon.”
• “Have an awesome weekend!”
• “Sending you my best.”

C. Closing Lines for Business-Related Emails

In business-related emails, it’s important to strike a balance between professionalism and cordiality. Here are ten examples of closing lines for business-related emails:

• “Thank you for your time and consideration.”
• “I appreciate your prompt response.”
• “Looking forward to doing business together.”
• “Let's discuss this further at our upcoming meeting.”
• “I value your expertise in this matter.”
• “Wishing you continued success.”
• “Thank you for your cooperation.”
• “I hope this proposal aligns with your expectations.”
• “Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need any additional information.”
• “I look forward to hearing from you soon.”

D. Closing Lines for Personal Emails

Personal emails provide an opportunity to express warmth and personal connection. Here are ten examples of closing lines for personal emails:

• “Take care and stay in touch.”
• “Sending you my love and support.”
• “Looking forward to catching up soon.”
• “Wishing you all the best.”
• “Take care of yourself and your loved ones.”
• “Let's plan a get-together soon!”
• “Remember, I'm always here for you.”
• “Sending you positive vibes and good energy.”
• “Take care and talk to you soon!”
• “Keep smiling and enjoy the day.”

E. Closing Lines for Follow-Up Emails

When sending follow-up emails, your closing line should express gratitude and anticipation. Here are ten examples of closing lines for follow-up emails:

• “Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.”
• “I appreciate your prompt feedback. Looking forward to the next steps.”
• “If you need any further information, please let me know. Thank you for your time.”
• “I hope you found my previous email helpful. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.”
• “Thank you for considering my request. I'll be eagerly awaiting your reply.”
• “I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this. Please share your feedback at your earliest convenience.”
• “I appreciate your time and consideration. Should you require any additional details, please don't hesitate to ask.”
• “Thank you for your assistance in this matter. I hope to hear back from you soon.”
• “I hope my message reaches you well. I await your instructions regarding the next steps.”
• “Thank you for your time and support. Please let me know if there's anything else I can assist you with.”

Remember, the closing line sets the tone for the end of your email and leaves a lasting impression. Choose an appropriate closing line based on the situation and your relationship with the recipient.

Crafting the Perfect Email Closing Sentence

Crafting the perfect email closing sentence can make a significant impact on the overall tone and effectiveness of your message . By following these steps, you can create a compelling and memorable closing sentence that leaves a positive impression on the recipient:

• Reflect on the purpose of your email : Consider the main objective or key message you want to convey in your email. This will help you align your closing sentence with the overall content.
• Tailor the tone : Assess the formality or informality of your email and adapt your closing sentence accordingly. Ensure it matches the level of professionalism or familiarity established in your communication.
• Use concise language : Keep your closing sentence concise and to the point. Use clear and straightforward language to convey your message effectively.
• Express gratitude or appreciation : Consider expressing gratitude or appreciation to show politeness and acknowledge the recipient's time and effort.
• Include a call to action : Encourage the recipient to take the desired action or respond to your email by including a subtle call to action in your closing sentence.
• Maintain professionalism : Even in informal or friendly emails, maintain a level of professionalism and respect in your closing sentence. Remember that the closing sentence is the last impression you leave.
• Personalize when appropriate : If you have a personal relationship or previous interaction with the recipient, adding a personal touch can help build rapport and strengthen the connection.
• Proofread and edit : Before finalizing your email, proofread and edit your closing sentence for grammar, punctuation, and clarity. Ensure it conveys your intended message accurately.

By following these steps, you can confidently craft the perfect email closing sentence that aligns with your goals and leaves a positive impact on the recipient.

Best Practices When Writing Email Closings

When writing your email closing lines, be sure to keep these best practices in mind.

When it comes to crafting effective email closings, keep the following dos in mind:

• Keep it concise and to the point : Aim for a closing that is brief and straightforward, ensuring that it aligns with the overall length of your email.
• Match the tone of the email : Tailor your closing to reflect the tone and formality of your message. Use a professional and formal closing for business emails, while being more casual and friendly in personal or informal communications.
• Use appropriate grammar and punctuation : Double-check your closing sentence for any grammatical errors or typos. Maintain proper punctuation and capitalization to convey a polished and professional image.
• Express gratitude or appreciation : When appropriate, express gratitude or appreciation to the recipient for their time, assistance, or consideration. This adds a personal touch and fosters a positive connection.
• Consider a call to action : If necessary, include a clear and concise call to action that prompts the recipient to take the desired next step or respond to your email promptly.

Avoid these common mistakes when crafting your email closing:

• Use overly generic or cliché closings : Steer clear of generic phrases like "Sincerely" or "Best regards" that lack personalization. Instead, strive for a closing line that feels authentic and tailored to your relationship with the recipient.
• End abruptly without a proper sign-off : Avoid ending your email abruptly without a proper sign-off. Always include a courteous closing line and your name to create a professional and polished conclusion.
• Include offensive or unprofessional language : Ensure that your closing remains respectful and professional throughout. Avoid using offensive language, slang, or any content that could be perceived as unprofessional.
• Overuse exclamation marks or emojis : While an occasional exclamation mark or emoji can add a friendly tone, be cautious not to overdo it. Stick to a professional balance and use these elements sparingly.
• Forget to proofread : Always proofread your email, including the closing sentence, for any errors or inconsistencies. Typos or mistakes can undermine your credibility and professionalism.

By adhering to these dos and avoiding the don’ts, you can enhance the effectiveness of your email closings, leaving a positive and lasting impression on your recipients.

Frequently Asked Questions on Email Closing Lines

When it comes to crafting email closing lines that make a lasting impression, you might have a few lingering questions. Let’s address three common inquiries and provide in-depth answers:

How can I make my email closing line memorable and engaging?

To make your email closing line memorable, consider incorporating a touch of personality that reflects your unique style and brand. Add a witty or clever remark that resonates with the recipient and the overall tone of your email.

However, it’s important to strike a balance and ensure it remains professional and appropriate for the context. By infusing creativity and authenticity into your closing line, you can leave a lasting impression.

Should I always use a closing line in my emails?

While it’s not mandatory, using a closing line is generally considered a best practice. A well-crafted closing line provides a sense of closure to your message and leaves a positive final impression.

It helps maintain a professional tone and shows respect for the recipient. Even if it’s a brief and simple closing, it adds a touch of courtesy and completeness to your email.

How can I tailor my email closing line to different recipients or situations?

Tailoring your email closing line is key to effective communication. Consider the recipient’s relationship, the purpose of the email, and the overall context. For formal emails to clients or superiors, opt for a more traditional closing such as “Best regards” or “Sincerely.”

On the other hand, with colleagues or acquaintances, you can inject a bit of informality and friendliness, using phrases like “Take care” or “Cheers.” Adapting your closing line helps create a more personalized and meaningful connection.

Key Takeaways on Email Closing Lines

Crafting effective email closing lines is crucial for professional communication. One key aspect is keeping your closing lines concise and clear . Avoid lengthy or convoluted sentences, and instead, opt for a brief and straightforward closing that effectively wraps up your message.

Additionally, tailor your closing lines based on the recipient and the nature of your relationship. For formal emails to clients, superiors, or unfamiliar contacts, use more traditional and professional closing phrases like “Best regards” or “Sincerely.”

On the other hand, when communicating with colleagues or acquaintances, you can inject a bit of informality and friendliness, using phrases like “Take care” or “Cheers.” It’s important to avoid using generic or cliché phrases, as they can sound impersonal and uninspired.

Strive for authenticity and uniqueness in your closing lines to make them memorable for the recipients. Another crucial consideration is providing a proper sign-off that aligns with the overall tone and purpose of your email.

Depending on the context, you can end with a line such as “I look forward to hearing from you” or “Your feedback is greatly appreciated.” Lastly, double-check your email for any grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, or punctuation errors, as even the best closing line loses its impact if accompanied by careless mistakes.

By following these tips and adding a touch of personality while maintaining professionalism, you can create impactful email closings that leave a positive impression.

To achieve the best results with email outreach, we recommend using a professional email automation software

13 best cold email platforms rated and compared

Edgar Abong

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The best final lines from movies

It always pays for a movie to end on a high note. That’s the last thing you will see of the film; the thing you take away with you that stays freshest in your mind. As such, final lines in movies are the ones we remember; the ones that really stick out to us. We don’t make lists of “great lines from the middle of a movie,” but we do make lists of great final lines — lists like this one. Oh, obviously, spoiler alert. We are talking about the last lines of movies, after all.

“Well, nobody’s perfect.”

At the end of “Some Like It Hot,” our heroes, Jerry and Joe, have gotten away from the mob, but there is one more hang-up. Wealthy, but daffy, playboy Osgood is in love with Jerry’s female persona, “Daphne.” Jerry, as Daphne, tries to convince Osgood that he shouldn’t marry her, eventually just giving up and admitting he’s actually a man. Osgood’s reply? A non-plussed, “Well, nobody’s perfect.”

“The stuff dreams are made of.”

This is one of the earliest iconic final movie lines. At the end of quintessential film noir “The Maltese Falcon,” somebody asks Humphrey Bogart’s Sam Spade what this statue of a bird is? Spade, with world weariness, delivers this line.

“Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

You knew this line had to be on this list. It’s on any list like this. It’s another Bogart line, this one from “Casablanca.” The movie is full of truly iconic quotes, but this one is certainly near the top of that list, as we watch Louie and Rick walk into the distance, and an uncertain future.

"I'm finished."

This line, from Daniel Day-Lewis in the movie, "There Will Be Blood," needs context. In and of itself, it doesn’t feel like memorable words. However, Daniel Plainview nonchalantly yells it out to his manservant as he sits near Eli Sunday, having beaten him to death with a bowling pin. That’s what makes it chilling, and memorable.

“After all, tomorrow is another day.”

“Gone With the Wind” was an iconic book, and it became one of the first gigantic movies. It’s still one of the highest-grossing films adjusted for inflation. A lot of people probably knew this line was coming before it was delivered by Scarlett O’Hara. That doesn’t make it any less impactful.

“Now, where was I?”

“Memento” is a mindbender of a movie, but it ends with a real gut punch. The protagonist of the film has severe amnesia and can’t make new memories. He’s used this, it turns out, to manipulate himself. So when he says, “Now, where was I?” it’s because he’s basically reset, and he doesn’t even know what he’s just done.

"The horror...the horror."

Marlon Brando was difficult on set while filming “Apocalypse Now.” That being said, Francis Ford Coppola accepted it for a reason. He was still a great actor, and his performance as Colonel Kurtz is fascinating. Brando also gets to deliver the final line, a simple ode to the, well, horrors of war.

“All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.”

“Sunset Boulevard” is one of those old noir films that has a script full of thoroughly written, and sometimes overwritten, lines. They don’t all work, but they knocked it out of the park with Gloria Swanson’s final speech. Her character, Norma Desmond, has lost her mind, and she doesn’t realize that she’s about to be arrested for murder. Instead, she thinks she’s shooting a film, hence this final line.

“Forget it, Jake. It’s Chinatown.”

Is this the most iconic final line ever? You can make the case. It really manages to sum up the themes and emotions of the movie in one simple line. Corruption wins out, and sometimes you just can’t win. That’s the tragedy at the core of “Chinatown.”

“Keep watching the skies!”

You may not even know what movie this line comes from, but you’ve certainly heard it before. It’s made its way into pop culture and is deeply ingrained in the concept of aliens and visitors from other planets. The line in question, though, comes from “The Thing From Another World,” which was eventually remade as “The Thing.”

“Mein Fuhrer! I can walk!”

The last line of “Dr. Strangelove” is maybe not as iconic as the final montage, where mushroom clouds sprout up as the song “We’ll Meet Again” plays. However, it’s still a great last line. It’s a laugh line, but Peter Sellers makes it count.

“Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need roads”

Sure, this line from Doc Brown in “Back to the Future” is partially setting up a sequel. However, it still works as a line and a cool one at that. Of course, it helps that a car starts hovering and then takes off through time right after this. That’ll sell a line.

“I’ll be right here.”

Many of these lines on this list were delivered by legendary actors. This one is delivered by a puppet. Granted, that puppet is E.T., and that movie is truly iconic, but that still makes this a rare one here. It’s also a heartstring-tugging line, making it different than a lot of the last lines.

“Hey everybody, we’re all gonna get laıd!”

From a heartbreakingly beautiful line to a completely goofy bit of nonsense. There is no hugging or learning in “Caddyshack.” A bunch of crazy stuff happens, and then Rodney Dangerfield yells this line in glee. Everybody clears, Kenny Loggins starts to play and then a gopher puppet starts dancing. Pure insanity, but a ton of fun.

“The truth is, I am Iron Man.”

We aren’t counting the post-credits scene here. We are declaring that “Iron Man,” the opening salvo that would build the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ends with this line. It’s a huge one, because in a world where superheroes usually have secret identities, Tony Stark decided he wouldn’t. That became business as usual in the world of Marvel, where most heroes are out in the open about it.

“No, it wasn’t the airplanes. It was beauty that killed the beast”

No, this line isn’t from “Beauty and the Beast.” It’s from “King Kong.” It first appeared in the initial version from the ‘30s and has appeared in the remakes as well. This line is as important to the world of “King Kong” as him climbing the Empire State Building.

“Kevin! What did you do to my room!?”

Yeah, that’s right. We’ve got a line from “Home Alone” on a list of iconic final lines. Feel like this film doesn’t deserve that? Well if you grew up in the ‘90s, this line echoes through your head whenever you think of “Home Alone.” Or hear the name “Buzz.” It’s a funny little capper on a crazy movie about a child trying to brutally murder two would-be burglars.

“And then I woke up”

It’s seems a little unfair to cut off this one line from Tommy Lee Jones’ speech at the end of “No Country for Old Men” from the rest of the monologue. Alas, if we didn’t, this entry would be incredibly long. The last line is the real gut punch, though. It’s brutal in its simplicity, made all the more impactful by the camera pulling in on Jones’ face before cutting to black.

“I don’t have to see it, Dottie. I lived it.”

“Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” got Tim Burton’s career off the ground, but the movie-within-the-movie at the end of the film gets Pee-wee’s career off the ground in the world of the movie. Does Pee-Wee earn his cockiness and pomposity when he delivers this line? No, but that’s part of what makes it so great. It’s the fact the line is being said by Pee-wee Herman of all people.

“I do wish we could chat longer, but I’m having an old friend for dinner.”

A real casual closing line, right? Well, not exactly. After all, it’s being spoken by Hannibal Lecter at the end of “The Silence of the Lambs.” When he says he’s having an old friend for dinner, we know he means he’s having an old friend FOR dinner, which is terrifying.

Chris Morgan is a sports and pop culture writer and the author of the books  The Comic Galaxy of Mystery Science Theater 3000  and  The Ash Heap of History . You can follow him on Twitter @ChrisXMorgan .

More must-reads:

• 23 films from the 1970s that still hold up
• 20 movies that are guaranteed to make you cry

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Today's mortgage rates rise for 15- and 30-year terms

Thinking about taking out a mortgage loan here are the current mortgage rates and the top factors that influence them..

The interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 7.875% as of November 7, which is 0.125 percentage points higher than yesterday. Additionally, the interest rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage is 7.625%, which is 0.375 percentage points higher than yesterday.

With mortgage rates changing daily, it’s a good idea to check today’s rate before applying for a loan. It’s also important to compare different lenders’ current interest rates, terms and fees to ensure you get the best deal.

Rates last updated on November 7, 2023. These rates are based on the assumptions shown here . Actual rates may vary. Credible, a personal finance marketplace, has 5,000 Trustpilot reviews with an average star rating of 4.7 (out of a possible 5.0).

How do mortgage rates work?

What determines the mortgage rate.

• How to compare mortgage rates 
• Pros and cons of mortgages 

How to qualify for a mortgage

How to apply for a mortgage, how to refinance a mortgage.

When you take out a mortgage loan to purchase a home, you’re borrowing money from a lender. In order for that lender to make a profit and reduce risk to itself, it will charge interest on the principal — that is, the amount you borrowed.

Expressed as a percentage, a mortgage interest rate is essentially the cost of borrowing money. It can vary based on several factors, such as your credit score , debt-to-income ratio (DTI), down payment , loan amount, and repayment term.

After getting a mortgage, you’ll typically receive an amortization schedule , which shows your payment schedule over the life of the loan. It also indicates how much of each payment goes toward the principal balance versus the interest.

Near the beginning of the loan term, you’ll spend more money on interest and less on the principal balance. As you approach the end of the repayment term, you’ll pay more toward the principal and less toward interest.

Your mortgage interest rate can be either fixed or adjustable. With a fixed-rate mortgage, the rate will be consistent for the duration of the loan. With an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), the interest rate can fluctuate with the market.

Keep in mind that a mortgage’s interest rate is not the same as its annual percentage rate (APR). This is because an APR includes both the interest rate and any other lender fees or charges.

Mortgage rates change frequently — sometimes on a daily basis. Inflation plays a significant role in these fluctuations. Interest rates tend to rise in periods of high inflation, whereas they tend to drop or remain roughly the same in times of low inflation. Other factors, like the economic climate, demand, and inventory can also impact the current average mortgage rates.

To find great mortgage rates, start by using Credible’s secured website, which can show you current mortgage rates from multiple lenders without affecting your credit score. You can also use Credible’s mortgage calculator to estimate your monthly mortgage payments.

Mortgage lenders typically determine the interest rate on a case-by-case basis. Generally, they reserve the lowest rates for low-risk borrowers — that is, those with a higher credit score, income, and down payment amount. Here are some other personal factors that may determine your mortgage rate:

• Location of the home
• Price of the home
• Your credit score and credit history
• Loan type (e.g., conventional or FHA)
• Interest rate type (fixed or adjustable)
• Down payment amount
• Loan-to-value (LTV) ratio

Other indirect factors that may determine the mortgage rate include:

• Current economic conditions
• Rate of inflation
• Market conditions
• Housing construction supply, demand, and costs
• Consumer spending
• Stock market
• 10-year Treasury yields
• Federal Reserve policies
• Current employment rate

How to compare mortgage rates

Along with certain economic and personal factors, the lender you choose can also affect your mortgage rate. Some lenders have higher average mortgage rates than others, regardless of your credit or financial situation. That’s why it’s important to compare lenders and loan offers.

Here are some of the best ways to compare mortgage rates and ensure you get the best one:

• Shop around for lenders: Compare several lenders to find the best rates and lowest fees. Even if the rate is only lower by a few basis points, it could still save you thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.
• Get several loan estimates: A loan estimate comes with a more personalized rate and fees based on factors like income, employment, and the property’s location. Review and compare loan estimates from several lenders.
• Get pre-approved for a mortgage: Pre-approval doesn’t guarantee you’ll get a loan, but it can give you a better idea of what you qualify for and at what interest rate. You’ll need to complete an application and undergo a hard credit check.
• Consider a mortgage rate lock: A mortgage rate lock lets you lock in the current mortgage rate for a certain amount of time — often between 30 and 90 days. During this time, you can continue shopping around for a home without worrying about the rate changing.
• Choose between an adjustable- and fixed-rate mortgage: The interest rate type can affect how much you pay over time, so consider your options carefully.

One other way to compare mortgage rates is with a mortgage calculator. Use a calculator to determine your monthly payment amount and the total cost of the loan. Just remember, certain fees like homeowners insurance or taxes might not be included in the calculations.

Here’s a simple example of what a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage might look like versus a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage:

15-year fixed-rate

• Loan amount: $300,000
• Interest rate: 6.29%
• Monthly payment: $2,579
• Total interest charges: $164,186
• Total loan amount: $464,186

30-year fixed-rate

• Interest rate: 6.89%
• Monthly payment: $1,974
• Total interest charges: $410,566
• Total loan amount: $710,565

Pros and cons of mortgages

If you’re thinking about taking out a mortgage, here are some benefits to consider:

• Predictable monthly payments: Fixed-rate mortgage loans come with a set interest rate that doesn’t change over the life of the loan. This means more consistent monthly payments.
• Potentially low interest rates: With good credit and a high down payment, you could get a competitive interest rate. Adjustable-rate mortgages may also come with a lower initial interest rate than fixed-rate loans.
• Tax benefits: Having a mortgage could make you eligible for certain tax benefits, such as a mortgage interest deduction .
• Potential asset: Real estate is often considered an asset. As you pay down your loan, you can also build home equity, which you can use for other things like debt consolidation or home improvement projects.
• Credit score boost: With on-time payments, you can build your credit score.

And here are some of the biggest downsides of getting a mortgage:

• Expensive fees and interest: You could end up paying thousands of dollars in interest and other fees over the life of the loan. You will also be responsible for maintenance, property taxes , and homeowners insurance.
• Long-term debt: Taking out a mortgage is a major financial commitment. Typical loan terms are 10, 15, 20, and 30 years.
• Potential rate changes: If you get an adjustable rate , the interest rate could increase.

Requirements vary by lender, but here are the typical steps to qualify for a mortgage:

• Have steady employment and income: You’ll need to provide proof of income when applying for a home loan. This may include money from your regular job, alimony, military benefits, commissions, or Social Security payments. You may also need to provide proof of at least two years’ worth of employment at your current company.
• Review any assets: Lenders consider your assets when deciding whether to lend you money. Common assets include money in your bank account or investment accounts.
• Know your DTI: Your DTI is the percentage of your gross monthly income that goes toward your monthly debts — like installment loans, lines of credit, or rent. The lower your DTI, the better your approval odds.
• Check your credit score: To get the best mortgage rate possible, you’ll need to have good credit. However, each loan type has a different credit score requirement. For example, you’ll need a credit score of 580 or higher to qualify for an FHA loan with a 3.5% down payment.
• Know the property type: During the loan application process, you may need to specify whether the home you want to buy is your primary residence. Lenders often view a primary residence as less risky, so they may have more lenient requirements than if you were to get a secondary or investment property.
• Choose the loan type: Many types of mortgage loans exist, including conventional loans, VA loans , USDA loans , FHA loans , and jumbo loans. Consider your options and pick the best one for your needs.
• Prepare for upfront and closing costs: Depending on the loan type, you may need to make a down payment. The exact amount depends on the loan type and lender. A USDA loan, for example, has no minimum down payment requirement for eligible buyers. With a conventional loan, you’ll need to put down 20% to avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI). You may also be responsible for paying any closing costs when signing for the loan.

Here are the basic steps to apply for a mortgage, and what you can typically expect during the process:

• Choose a lender : Compare several lenders to see the types of loans they offer, their average mortgage rates, repayment terms, and fees. Also, check if they offer any down payment assistance programs or closing cost credits.
• Get pre-approved : Complete the pre-approval process to boost your chances of getting your dream home. You’ll need identifying documents, as well as documents verifying your employment, income, assets, and debts.
• Submit a formal application: Complete your chosen lender’s application process — either in person or online — and upload any required documents.
• Wait for the lender to process your loan: It can take some time for the lender to review your application and make a decision. In some cases, they may request additional information about your finances, assets, or liabilities. Provide this information as soon as possible to prevent delays.
• Complete the closing process: If approved for a loan, you’ll receive a closing disclosure with information about the loan and any closing costs. Review it, pay the down payment and closing costs, and sign the final loan documents. Some lenders have an online closing process, while others require you to go in person. If you are not approved, you can talk to your lender to get more information and determine how you can remedy any issues.

Refinancing your mortgage lets you trade your current loan for a new one. It does not mean taking out a second loan. You will also still be responsible for making payments on the refinanced loan.

You might want to refinance your mortgage if you:

• Want a lower interest rate or different rate type
• Are looking for a shorter repayment term so you can pay off the loan sooner
• Need a smaller monthly payment
• Want to remove the PMI from your loan
• Need to use the equity for things like home improvement or debt consolidation (cash-out refinancing)

The refinancing process is similar to the process you follow for the original loan. Here are the basic steps:

• Choose the type of refinancing you want.
• Compare lenders for the best rates.
• Complete the application process.
• Wait for the lender to review your application.
• Provide supporting documentation (if requested).
• Complete the home appraisal.
• Proceed to closing, review the loan documents, and pay any closing costs.

What is a rate lock?

Interest rates on mortgages fluctuate all the time, but a rate lock allows you to lock in your current rate for a set amount of time. This ensures you get the rate you want as you complete the homebuying process .

What are mortgage points?

Mortgage points are a type of prepaid interest that you can pay upfront — often as part of your closing costs — for a lower overall interest rate. This can lower your APR and monthly payments. 

What are closing costs?

Closing costs are the fees you, as the buyer, need to pay before getting a loan. Common fees include attorney fees, home appraisal fees, origination fees , and application fees.

If you’re trying to find the right mortgage rate, consider using Credible. You can use Credible's free online tool to easily compare multiple lenders and see prequalified rates in just a few minutes.

The 'Best' Way to Sign Off On An E-mail

You're staring blankly at a screen, contemplating the best way to sign off on an e-mail of a professional nature, and then it hits you: Best is a good choice.

Tracing back to the Old English epic poem Beowulf , the word has functioned superbly in the language as a superlative of the adjective good and the adverb well for centuries, but only relatively recently has it taken on the role of closer.

Not sure how to start or what to put in the middle, but you've got the sign-off down.

The origin of best as a closer for correspondence begins with the phrase "best wishes," which has been used to express hope for a person's future happiness or well-being since the 16th century, as demonstrated by the Earl of Essex in a 1595 letter: "This … is … accompanyed with my best wishes, from your lordship's most affectionate cosin and friend."

In the early 20th century, the phrase was called upon as a suitable closing for a letter. An early example of this is in a letter penned in 1936 by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, "Let me know all about it, won't you? Best wishes, Dylan." Around this time, people also began to omit wishes from the long-standing phrase and use singular best as a terse way to express their best wishes for another. Evidence of this is found in a letter by F. Scott Fitzgerald in which he mentions that "Zelda sends best." This sense of best is now commonly found with a possessive adjective in collocations like "I send my best" or "give her my best" and gave rise to the closings "My best to you," "My Best," and "Best," whose first known usage is in a 1968 card sent to the writer Larry L. King that ends "Best, Bill."

Usage of best to close correspondence has since flourished. Certainly, there are critics of this 4-letter, elliptical valediction ; however, to most its simplicity crisply connotes a sense of goodwill without sounding stuffy or disingenuous.

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Dow soars 564 points as plummeting bond yields spark huge rally in US stocks

• The Dow jumped over 500 points while the S&P 500 neared its biggest gain since May.
• Treasury yields fell after weeks of high levels, with the 10-year rate falling over 12 basis points.
• Investors bet that the Fed is finished raising rates after Wednesday's FOMC decision to pause.

US stocks surged on Thursday, as bond yields tumbled for a second day following the Federal Reserve's decision to pause interest rate hikes. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped over 550 points, while the S&P 500 climbed nearly 2%, nearing its biggest gain since May. 

Major indexes climbed as as long-duration Treasury yields continued to come down, with the 10-year rate falling over 12 basis points. The decline is a turnabout from weeks of surging yields, as a major bond sell-off drove rates on the 10-year note past 5% for the first time since 2007. 

Solid equity gains come as investors have grown more confident that the Fed is done lifting interest, after the central bank maintained rates at the 5.25%-5.50% for the second straight FOMC meeting on Wednesday.

Investors are gearing up for Friday's jobs report, with expectations for 117,000 new positions added in October. New data on Thursday showed that labor productivity had advanced the most in three years, taking away inflationary pressure despite a growing jobs market.

Here's where US indexes stood at the 4:00 p.m. closing bell on Thursday: 

• S&P 500 : 4,317.78, up 1.89% 
• Dow Jones Industrial Average : 33,847.14, up 1.72% (+572.56 points)
• Nasdaq Composite : 13,294.19, up 1.78% 

Here's what else happened today: 

• The market is following a rare pattern, and it could be a sign of double digit gains next year , analysis says.
• The Fed and Mid-East conflict could still spark a US recession , Nouriel Roubini warns.
• Fed meetings are not what's driving the bond market - but these two factors are , Societe Generale says.
• Chairman Jerome Powell is 'just as confused' by the economy, Steve Eisman says.
• The stock market may have just bottomed - check out this chart to see how .
• Regardless of what Japan does, Treasury demand isn't going away , Goldman Sachs says.

In commodities, bonds, and crypto: 

• West Texas Intermediate crude oil gained 2% to $82.36 a barrel. Brent crude , the international benchmark, increased 2.4% to $86.69 a barrel. 
• Gold stayed edged up to $1,993 per ounce. 
• The 10-year Treasury fell 12.2 basis points, trading at 4.667%.
• Bitcoin stayed flat at $34,862.8. 

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Kent State vs. Akron odds, line, spread: 2023 Week 10 MACtion picks, predictions from proven computer model

Sportsline's model just revealed its college football picks, predictions and best bets for wednesday maction between the akron zips and kent state golden flashes.

MACtion continues as the Kent State Golden Flashes (1-7) and the Akron Zips (1-7) square off on Wednesday evening. Kent State has dropped five games in a row, failing to score more than 17 points in any of those matchups. In Week 9, the Golden Flashes lost 24-6 to the Buffalo Bulls. Similarly, Akron is on a six-game skid. On Oct. 21, Bowling Green topped the Zips 41-14.

Kickoff from Summa Field at InfoCision Stadium in Akron is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. The Zips are 4-point favorites in the Kent State vs. Akron odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points is 38.5. Before making any Akron vs. Kent State picks, be sure to check out the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model .

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a stunning profit of well over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Kent State vs. Akron and just revealed its picks and MACtion predictions. You can visit SportsLine to see the model's CFB picks . Here are several  college football odds  and trends for Akron vs. Kent state: 

• Kent State vs. Akron spread: Zips -4
• Kent State vs. Akron over/under: 38.5 points
• Kent State vs. Akron money line: Zips -177, Golden Flashes +148
• AKR: 3-5 ATS this season 
• KSU: 1-7 ATS this season
• Kent State vs. Akron picks: See picks at SportsLine
• Kent State vs. Akron live stream: fubo (try for free)

Why Kent State can cover

Senior running back Jaylen Thomas has become the main contributor in the backfield as sophomore running back Gavin Garcia  has been sidelined with an injury. Thomas has logged 80 rushes for 305 yards and one touchdown. The Colorado native recorded 17-plus carries and 65-plus yards on the ground in three straight matchups. On Oct. 14 versus Eastern Michigan , Thomas notched 23 rushes for 94 yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, senior linebacker Devin Nicholson has been the most consistent playmaker. The Michigan native ranks first on the team in total tackles (53) with one fumble recovery. In his last outing, Nicholson had six total tackles. It was his sixth game of the year with at least six total stops.  See which team to pick here .

Why Akron can cover

Junior defensive lineman CJ Nunnally IV is the best pass rusher for the Zips. The Georgia native ranks first on the team in sacks (5) and is fourth in total tackles (38). On Sept. 30 against Buffalo, Nunnally IV supplied four tackles and two sacks.

Sophomore linebacker Bryan McCoy is an instinctive and alert defender on the second level. McCoy has a knack for being around the ball and getting plenty of stops. The Illinois native is fifth in the MAC in total tackles (72) and tackles per game (9). He's finished with double-digit stops in three outings thus far.  See which team to back here .

How to make Akron vs. Kent State picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 52 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can see the model's picks at SportsLine . 

So who wins Kent State vs. Akron, and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has notched a profit of well over $2,000 on its top-rated college football spread picks , and find out. 

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