Re-sign or Resign? Learn When and How to Use Each Correctly

When it comes to the English language, small nuances can sometimes cause confusion, especially when words sound alike but have different meanings. One such example is the difference between “re-sign” and “resign.” Although these two words look and sound almost identical, they serve distinct purposes in both casual and formal communication.

If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering whether to re-sign vs resign or if you should re-sign a document, you’re not alone.

What’s the Difference Between Re-sign and Resign?

Before diving into examples and specific scenarios, let’s first define these terms.

• Resign (verb) means to voluntarily leave a job, position, or responsibility. It indicates your choice to quit or step down from a particular role.
• Re-sign (verb) means to sign something again—typically in the case of errors, amendments, or a need for a new agreement.

It’s important to note that these two terms are related to signing, but one refers to leaving something behind, and the other refers to the act of signing again, usually to correct or validate something. Let’s break this down with some examples.

Scenario 1: Resign – Voluntarily Leaving a Job

Let’s start with resign. Imagine you’re working in a high-pressure job and you decide it’s time to move on to something new. You would resign from your position, either because you’re looking for new challenges or because you want a better work-life balance.

For instance, let’s say Mark, a marketing manager, writes a resignation letter:

Subject: Formal Resignation Letter

Dear Mr. Thompson,

I am writing to formally resign from my position as Marketing Manager at XYZ Corporation. After much thought and consideration, I have decided to pursue new opportunities that align more closely with my personal and professional goals.

My last working day will be [insert date], and I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition over the next two weeks. Please let me know if there are any additional steps you’d like me to take during my notice period.

I have greatly enjoyed working with you and the team, and I appreciate all the support and opportunities provided during my time here.

Thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,
Mark Parker

In this case, Mark uses “resign” to indicate that he is voluntarily leaving his position as marketing manager. This is a clear example of a resignation letter, where the employee quits the job or steps down from the position.

Scenario 2: Re-sign – Signing Again

Now, let’s move on to re-sign. This situation arises when you need to sign again due to a mistake or if there’s a need to update or amend something.

For example, if you are finalizing a contract, but there’s a typo in the document, you may need to re-sign the contract after corrections are made.

Let’s say Susan, a project manager, was asked to re-sign a contract due to an error in the terms. Here’s how her email might look:

Subject: Re-signing of Contract

Dear Ms. Adams,

I hope you’re doing well. I have reviewed the contract you sent over and noticed a small mistake in the payment terms. Please find the updated version of the contract attached.

Once you’ve reviewed the changes, I kindly ask that you re-sign the document to confirm that the updates have been acknowledged and agreed upon.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to receiving the signed document at your earliest convenience.

Best regards,
Susan Harris

In this case, Susan is requesting the other party to sign again because there was an error that needed correcting. This is a typical use of “re-sign” when revisiting a legal document or contract modification.

Resign vs Re-sign – A Key Difference

So far, we’ve covered two very different uses for resign and re-sign. Let’s summarize:

• Resign: To quit, leave, or voluntarily step down from your position (e.g., job, role, or responsibility).
• Re-sign: To sign again, often due to an error in the initial signing or as part of a contract modification.

The mistake often happens because these two terms look so similar, but their contexts could not be more different. Resigning involves leaving something behind (such as a job), while re-signing involves signing something again, usually due to a mistake or change in the agreement.

Resign Pattern and How It’s Used

When you use resign in a sentence, it often follows a pattern like this:

• I resign from [position] (voluntary departure)
• I am resigning from [position] (ongoing action)
• I have resigned from [position] (completed action)

Examples:

• John has resigned from his position as Director of Sales after ten years with the company.
• Sarah is resigning from her role as HR Manager to focus on her family.

Notice how in both cases, resign is tied to leaving a role voluntarily.

Re-sign vs Resign: Common Mistakes

Many people mistakenly use re-sign when they should use resign (and vice versa). The most common example is in professional settings where someone may say, “I’m going to re-sign from my position,” instead of saying, “I’m going to resign from my position.”

Here’s a quick guide to help you avoid confusion:

• If you’re quitting or voluntarily leaving a job, role, or responsibility, you are resigning.
• If you need to sign again something like a document, contract, or form, then you are re-signing.

Resigning from a Job vs Re-signing a Contract: Which One Applies?

If you’re thinking about resigning from your job, you’re making the decision to leave your current position. If you’re signing a contract again, you’re re-signing due to changes made to the original document.

Consider these examples:

• Resigning from a Job: Sarah has decided to resign from her position as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at ABC Corp. after a successful tenure. She’ll submit her resignation letter to the HR department.
• Re-signing a Contract: Michael needs to re-sign the contract for the new office lease after some changes were made to the original terms. This is a legal contract modification that requires both parties to sign again.

When Should You Resign?

The decision to resign from a job can be one of the most challenging career choices to make. Here are a few common reasons why someone might decide to resign from a position:

1. Better Job Opportunity: A new role that offers higher pay or a more desirable work environment.
2. Health Concerns: Issues related to stress or health that make continuing in the current role unsustainable.
3. Career Growth: Seeking professional development or moving into a more senior role elsewhere.
4. Personal Reasons: Needing more flexibility or a change in lifestyle.
5. Workplace Conflict: Persistent disagreements or toxic work culture.

The Process of Re-signing Documents

Whether you’re re-signing a contract or other legal document, the process typically involves:

1. Identifying the issue: Recognizing an error or change in the document.
2. Notifying relevant parties: Informing them about the required re-signing.
3. Making corrections: If there’s an error, ensure that the corrections are made before you sign again.
4. Re-signing: Confirming your agreement or approval by signing once more.

Table: Re-sign vs Resign

Aspect	Resign (to quit)	Re-sign (to sign again)
Meaning	Voluntarily leave a job or position	Sign something again due to an error
Common Use	Resignation letter, quitting a job	Contract modifications, correcting a mistake
Example	“I will resign from my position.”	“Please re-sign the contract.”
Context	Job departure, formal resignation	Legal document, contract correction

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between re-sign and resign might seem tricky at first, but once you break it down, it’s simple. Use “resign” when you’re quitting or leaving a job, and use “re-sign” when you’re signing again due to an error, update, or change.

By keeping these differences in mind, you’ll be able to communicate more effectively and avoid any embarrassing mix-ups in both professional and personal contexts. Whether it’s sending a resignation letter or **