Confused About When to Use 'Anyway', 'Anyhow', or 'At Any Rate' in My Email Closings
Hi everyone! I'm writing a formal email to my professor, and I'm a bit confused about how to end one of my paragraphs. I want to move on to a different topic smoothly. I've seen sentences like, "Anyway, I hope to hear from you soon," or, "Anyhow, thank you for your time," and sometimes, "At any rate, please let me know your thoughts."
Are these expressions interchangeable? Or do they sound formal or informal in different situations? I'm worried about using the wrong one in an academic context. Any advice would be appreciated!
Context:
formal email to a university professor
What to Know
| What to Know | Why It Matters | Example | Quick Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| For most academic emails, you can move directly to your next point without a transitional phrase, or use alternatives like: "Moving on to my next question" or "Regarding another matter.". | "Anyway, let me know if you have questions.". | Anyway, let me know if you have questions. | Does this sentence need 'anyway' or 'anyhow' based on my intended meaning? |
| Writers often treat 'anyway' and 'anyhow' as interchangeable even when context and meaning differ. | This helps you choose wording by meaning instead of surface form. | I used "'anyhow'" because the context required that meaning. | Did I choose this form for meaning, not because it looked familiar? |
3 Answers
Recognizing Formal Patterns:
When composing a formal email (especially to a professor), focus on expressions that transition between topics politely and professionally. Here’s how each phrase operates:
- "Anyway" and "Anyhow" are informal transition markers. They often suggest that a previous point is being wrapped up before moving on, but both are rarely used in academic or business emails.
- "At any rate" is slightly more formal but still somewhat conversational. However, it can fit into a polite transition, especially when summarizing or emphasizing a point before moving on.
Example 1 (informal):
"Anyway, let me know if you have questions."
Example 2 (neutral/formal):
"At any rate, I look forward to your feedback."
Practice: Compare a draft you’ve written—if you’re using "Anyway" or "Anyhow" before a request or closing, try replacing it with "At any rate" or simply omitting the phrase for a cleaner, more formal tone. For most academic emails, you can move directly to your next point without a transitional phrase, or use alternatives like: "Moving on to my next question" or "Regarding another matter."
Self-check: Before sending your email, reread your transitions. Do they sound neutral and respectful? If in doubt, err on the side of formality.
Comparing Transitional Phrases:
In academic or formal communication, transition words set the tone. Let’s compare these options:
- "Anyhow" is casual and can seem dismissive. Avoid it in emails to professors.
- "Anyway" is also informal and better for conversations or friendly emails; it may not convey the professional tone you want.
- "At any rate" is more formal. It signals a summary or a shift but is still less common than neutral transitions like "Additionally" or "Furthermore."
Example A:
"Anyhow, I hope you can clarify the assignment requirements." (too casual)
Example B:
"At any rate, please let me know if you need more information from me." (appropriate for formal settings)
Try this: Review transition phrases in your draft. Ask: "Would I use this phrase when speaking to a judge or in a business letter?" Choose the more formal option or replace with neutral alternatives.
Self-Editing Strategy:
If you find yourself using "Anyway" or "Anyhow" in formal emails, note that these can weaken your professional tone. In contrast, "At any rate" is less informal, but there are even better options.
Example for revision:
Original: "Anyway, thank you for your response."
Improved: "Thank you for your response."
Original: "Anyhow, please see my comments below."
Improved: "Please see my comments below."
Corrective advice: When self-editing, try removing the informal transition—if the sentence still flows, it’s more concise and more formal. If a transition is needed, use alternatives such as "Moreover," "Additionally," or simply start the next point.
Practice: Take one of your recent draft emails and find any informal transitions. Replace or remove them for a polished, academic tone.
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