Is formality a word

Formal behavior follows the proper forms or customs, and informal behavior feels free to ignore them. The formality of a dinner party is indicated by such formalities as invitations, required dress, and full table settings. Legal formalities, or technicalities, may turn out to be all-important even if they often seem minor. America requires fewer formalities than many other countries (in Germany, for example, you may know someone for years before using his or her first name), but even in relaxed situations Americans may be observing invisible formalities.

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Merriam-Webster unabridged

formality

fɔ:ˈmælɪtɪ сущ.
1) формальная сторона, формальность (действие, процесс, процедура установленного порядка) to complete, go through the formality ≈ исполнять формальности bureaucratic formality ≈ бюрократические формальности (the) usual formality ≈ обычные формальности custom formalities ≈ процедура таможенного контроля Syn : technicality
2) соблюдение установленных норм и правил;
формализм Syn : ceremony
формальность;
формальная сторона;
принятая форма, процедура;
церемония — to comply with all formalities соблюдать все формальности — formalities of law формальности, предписанные законом — it is a pure * это чистая проформа, это пустая формальность соблюдение формальностей, условностей — there’s too much * at official dinners официальные обеды проходят слишком чинно, на официальных обедах чувствуется натянутость формализм, формальное отношение;
педантизм — the frozen * of his bearing ледяная корректность его манер (историческое) форма одежды должностных лиц при исполнении служебных обязанностей
customs ~ таможенные формальности
formality соблюдение установленных норм и правил;
педантичность ~ соблюдение формальностей ~ специальная процедура ~ формальная сторона ~ формальность;
legal formalities юридические формальности;
a mere formality чистая формальность ~ формальность
~ формальность;
legal formalities юридические формальности;
a mere formality чистая формальность
legal ~ юридическая формальность
~ формальность;
legal formalities юридические формальности;
a mere formality чистая формальность

Большой англо-русский и русско-английский словарь.
2001.

Смотреть что такое «formality» в других словарях:

• formality — for‧mal‧i‧ty [fɔːˈmælti ǁ fɔːr ] noun formalities PLURALFORM [countable usually plural] LAW 1. something formal or official that you have to do so that a process can be completed properly: • immigration and customs formalities • Certain… …   Financial and business terms

• Formality — For*mal i*ty, n.; pl. {Formalities}. [Cf. F. formalit[ e].] 1. The condition or quality of being formal, strictly ceremonious, precise, etc. [1913 Webster] 2. Form without substance. [1913 Webster] Such [books] as are mere pieces of formality, so …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• formality — formality, formalism The first is the ordinary noun corresponding to formal: formality is primarily the observance of rules and conventions, a formality is something that has to be done by convention (often with implications of superfluousness:… …   Modern English usage

• formality — [n1] convention, custom academism, ceremony, convenance, conventionality, form, gesture, liturgy, matter of form*, officialism, procedure, red tape*, rite, ritual, rituality, rubric, rule, service, solemnity, solemnness, stereotype, tradition;… …   New thesaurus

• formality — ► NOUN (pl. formalities) 1) the rigid observance of rules or convention. 2) a thing done simply to comply with convention or regulations. 3) (a formality) a thing done or occurring as a matter of course; an inevitability …   English terms dictionary

• formality — I noun ceremonial rite, ceremoniousness, ceremony, convention, conventionality, correctness, custom, decorum, established mode, etiquette, formalness, observance of form, outward form, prescribed form, propriety, punctilio, rigidity, rigidness,… …   Law dictionary

• formality — (n.) 1530s, agreement as to form, from M.Fr. formalité (15c.) or directly from L. formalis formal (see FORMAL (Cf. formal)). Originally literary form; meaning something done for the sake of form is from 1590s. Related: Formalities …   Etymology dictionary

• formality — *form, ceremony, ceremonial, rite, liturgy, ritual Analogous words: convention, convenance, usage, *form: practice, custom, *habit, use, wont …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

• formality — [fôr mal′ə tē] n. [Fr formalité] 1. the quality or state of being formal; specif., a) a following or observing of prescribed customs, rules, ceremonies, etc.; propriety b) careful or too careful attention to order, regularity, precision, or… …   English World dictionary

• formality — noun 1 action that is necessary according to custom/law ADJECTIVE ▪ mere ▪ Your acceptance into the club will be a mere formality. ▪ customs, legal (both esp. BrE) VERB + FORMALITY ▪ …   Collocations dictionary

• formality — for|mal|i|ty [ fɔr mæləti ] noun * 1. ) count usually plural something that must be done as part of an official process or that you are expected to do in a social situation: We went through the usual formalities at customs and passport control.… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

Social situations: Think about the language you use when you’re talking to your friends versus the way you talk to your teachers. Levels of formality differ depending on the social context.

Think about academic life. Some academic settings require specialised and professional language connected to the specific academic fields. This requirement impacts the levels of formality in the language that is used in these environments.

The five levels (or registers) of formality are:

• Intimate
• Casual
• Consultative
• Formal
• Frozen

These registers also represent the different levels of language expression.

The five levels of formality were identified by American linguist Martin Joos in 1962.

Let’s take a look at this graph — the higher the line goes, the more formal the register:

The intimate level of formality is used in an informal setting, usually among family members, close friends, and lovers.

Intimate language can be quite simple, it can include slang and colloquialisms and it doesn’t necessarily adhere to conventional grammatical norms. That’s why, as fitting as it may be in an informal setting, it won’t be appropriate in a public, academic or professional context.

A: Honey, did you get the Christmas tree?

B: Yep, I’m bringing it home!

A: Fantastic! Thank you! I’ll start making dinner.

B: I’ll help you when I get home. I’m just getting on the bus now. Do you need me to get anything else from the shop?

A: Nah, I think we’re all good for pasta night. Jenny is so excited to decorate!

B: Give her a kiss from me! See you soon, darling!

A: Can’t wait to see you and the tree!

The casual level of formality also occurs in an informal environment but is not as personal as the intimate level. The casual register is frequently used among friends and acquaintances, such as classmates and colleagues.

Casual language is informal and can include slang and colloquialisms. Note that both friendly and hostile conversations can be in the casual register.

Consider this example of the casual level of formality, a conversation between classmates:

A: Did you do the English Lit homework?

B: Sure! Did you?

A: Yes but I’m not sure how well I did it exactly. I don’t know about you but I find it so difficult to understand Shakespeare’s language.

B: Yeah … I get that. You should try using this online dictionary, it really helped me!

You may notice that although the conversation is casual, some distance can be felt between A and B. It wouldn’t be there if they were closer friends and they were using the intimate register. If they were using the intimate level, maybe they would have nicknames for each other, and they would make a plan to see each other after school.

This example also shows that the casual level of formality wouldn’t fit a professional setting — informal words and phrases such as ‘English Lit’ and ‘yeah’ are not appropriate.

Consultative level of formality

The consultative level of formality is used in formal, professional, and academic settings. The consultative register usually occurs in conversations among colleagues, teachers and students, and employers and employees.

Conversations in the consultative level of formality usually require the participants to address each other by their respective titles and honorifics (‘sir’, ‘madam’, ‘doctor’, and the like). Consultative language can involve a specific jargon or knowledge connected to the professional context and participants involved.

Take a look at this example of the consultative level of formality — a conversation between a teacher and a student.

Teacher: Good morning, John.

Student: Good morning, Miss Nightingale.

Teacher: I’ve reviewed your homework and I have to say it’s excellent work. Well done!

Student: Thank you, miss.

Teacher: Do you have any questions at all?

Student: Yes. The only thing I didn’t understand is what Shakespeare means by ‘the dickens’.

Teacher: ‘Dickens’ in Shakespeare’s language is, of course, not the 19th-century author Dickens. This is a euphemism for ‘devil’.

Student: Thank you, miss! Now it makes sense.

The formal level of formality refers to professional and academic environments. It is commonly used in lectures, speeches, text analysis, and documents.

In the formal register, there is usually no interaction between the speaker and the audience. It includes academic and professional language, follows grammatical conventions and involves more complex language. The formal level of formality usually doesn’t express personal opinions or emotions, nor does it require an emotional connection between speaker and audience.

Let’s have a look at this example of the formal level of formality — a graduation ceremony speech.

Bear in mind that a speech is not a conversation — the formal register here is used with the intention of delivering and not necessarily receiving a verbal reaction. The formal level, therefore, does not apply to the same contexts as the intimate or casual registers and is not appropriate for friendly conversation.

(Note that conversations in the formal register can occur between colleagues.)

The frozen level of formality is the most formal. It is called frozen for a reason — it uses static language that doesn’t change. The frozen register consists of set phrases and relies on conventional grammar structures. It usually occurs in formal settings, such as weddings and religious ceremonies, as well as in safety briefings.

Similarly to the formal level, the frozen level does not allow interaction between the speaker (or author) and the audience. Since there is no feedback in the frozen register, this puts pressure on the speaker to engage the audience and to present themselves in the appropriate manner.

To fasten your seat belt insert the metal end into the buckle. To secure, pull the end of the strap underneath, and to open lift the buckle cover. In the event of sudden loss of cabin pressure, individual oxygen masks will automatically drop from the panel above your head.

This briefing is an example of the frozen level of formality because it follows specific conventions, is familiar, and doesn’t change.

What happened to ‘thou’?

Does the word ‘thou’ sound familiar to you? You’ve probably encountered it in the works of Shakespeare and other authors of the past. Back then, people distinguished between a formal and informal register.

The formal register was the word we still use — ‘you’. The informal one was ‘thou’.

English has since lost one register, ‘thou’, leaving ‘you’ as the sole form of address in both formal and informal situations.

Other modern languages, such as French and Bulgarian, still have two distinct forms. In French the formal is ‘vous’, while the informal is ‘tu’, while in Bulgarian the formal is ‘vie’ and the informal is ‘ti’.

‘If thou dost marry, I’ll give thee this plague for

thy dowry: be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow,

thou shalt not escape calumny.’

In this excerpt from Act 1, Scene 3 of Hamlet, the title character Hamlet is speaking to Ophelia, a young woman he has courted, in the informal register, using ‘thou’.

‘My crown I am, but still my griefs are mine. You may my glories and my state depose, but not my griefs; still am I king of those.‘

In this example from Act 4, Scene 1 of Richard II, King Richard is surrendering to Bolingbroke, by addressing him with the formal ‘you’.

Finding the right register

Levels of Formality — Key takeaways

• Formality helps us integrate ourselves into society, whether at school, with family, or in the workplace. Each social context and setting requires a different level of formality.
• There are five levels (or registers) of formality: Intimate, Casual, Formal, Frozen, and Consultative. Each of them is characterised by a different register of the English language and is suitable in different social contexts.
• The English language doesn’t have a pronoun that differs the formal from the informal register. We dropped the informal ‘thou’ with time, leaving only the formal register, i.e., ‘you’.
• Knowing the differences between the levels of formality will allow you to express yourself appropriately in different environments.

The state of being formal

Something said or done as a matter of form

A customary ritual without new or unique meaning

specific requirement

Translations to be checked

- формальность; формальная сторона; принятая форма, процедура; церемония

to comply with all formalities — соблюдать все формальности 
formalities of law — формальности, предписанные законом 
it is a pure formality — это чистая проформа, это пустая формальность 

- соблюдение формальностей, условностей

there’s too much formality at official dinners — официальные обеды проходят слишком чинно, на официальных обедах чувствуется натянутость 

- формализм, формальное отношение; педантизм

the frozen formality of his bearing — ледяная корректность его манер 

- pl. ист. форма одежды должностных лиц при исполнении служебных обязанностей

Мои примеры

The formality of his voice made the others pay him close attention. 

Официальный тон его голоса заставил остальных выслушать его очень внимательно.

She hid her true self behind the shield of an aloof formality. 

Она прятала своё истинное я за завесой отчуждённой формальности.

There is always some degree of formality when one speaks to a stranger. 

При разговоре с незнакомым человеком всегда присутствует некоторая официальность.

The request to use the restroom was just a formality — I really didn’t expect a turndown. 

Просьба разрешить воспользоваться туалетом была лишь формальностью, и я вообще-то не ожидал отказа.

Her use of old-fashioned language lends an air of formality to her writing. 

Используемый ею старомодный стиль придаёт написанному ею некоторый оттенок официальности.

The loan was arranged with little formality.  

He failed to appreciate the formality of the occasion.  

Getting a gun license here seems to be just a formality.  

They haven’t approved the loan yet, but that’s just a mere formality.  

No one is better than Didion at using flatness of affect and formality of diction to convey seething anger and disdain.  

Для того чтобы добавить вариант перевода, кликните по иконке ☰, напротив примера.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Translations

A noun is a type of word the meaning of which determines reality. Nouns provide the names for all things: people, objects, sensations, feelings, etc.

Formality

A formality is an established procedure or set of specific behaviors and utterances, conceptually similar to a ritual although typically secular and less involved. A formality may be as simple as a handshake upon making new acquaintainces in Western culture to the carefully defined procedure of bows, handshakes, formal greetings, and business card exchanges that may mark two businessmen being introduced in Japan. In legal and diplomatic circles, formalities include such matters as greeting an arriving head of state with the appropriate national anthem. Cultures and groups within cultures often have varying degrees of formality which can often prove a source of frustration or unintentional insult when people of different expectations or preferences interact. Those from relatively informal backgrounds may find formality to be empty and hypocritical, or unnecessarily demanding. Those from relatively formal backgrounds may find informal cultures hard to deal with, as their carefully refined and nuanced behaviors go completely unnoticed. The difference between formality and politeness is often a point of confusion for those from relatively informal cultures.

The translations of formality from English to other languages presented in this section have been obtained through automatic statistical translation; where the essential translation unit is the word «formality» in English.

The map shown above gives the frequency of use of the term «formality» in the different countries.

List of principal searches undertaken by users to access our English online dictionary and most widely used expressions with the word «formality».

The graph expresses the annual evolution of the frequency of use of the word «formality» during the past 500 years. Its implementation is based on analysing how often the term «formality» appears in digitalised printed sources in English between the year 1500 and the present day.

I’m an American searching for some sort of parameters, a way of life — I’m looking for a slight formality, for a place where you can never be overdressed.

I listened to King Oliver and I listened to Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, John Coltrane, Archie Shepp… I listened to everything I could that came from that place that they call the blues but, in formality, isn’t necessarily the blues.

Marriage is like a formality for me.

I believe the death of Bobby Kennedy was in many ways the death of decency in America. I think it was the death of manners and formality, the death of poetry and the death of a dream.

Grilling takes the formality out of entertaining. Everyone wants to get involved.

I am actually extremely casual in certain environments. But one of the reasons I like living in London, I like the formality of it, as compared to the formality of America — or informality. I like putting on a suit. I like putting on a tie.

I am one of the five best parallel parkers in the United States of America. Dead serious. It’s to the point now where I look back when pulling into the spot only as a formality.

I despise formal restaurants. I find all of that formality to be very base and vile. I would much rather eat potato chips on the sidewalk.

Every time a pundit or elected official is on any TV news program, it should be a polite formality to mention that GE has made such and such billions off the war in Iraq by selling arms or that Murdoch is a right-wing activist with a clear stake in who wins and who taxes his profits the least.

We’ve become much more casual and much more relaxed in social interactions, where there was a formality and maybe a kind of respect at that time that doesn’t exist now.

1

When Formality Works: Authority and Abstraction in Law and …

He points out a wide range of examples where this is the case, including architectural blueprints, immigration law, the construction of common law by appeals courts, Fannie Mae’s secondary mortgage market, and scientific paradigms and …

2

Gender in Bolivian Production: Reducing Differences in …

Bolivia’s informal economic sector is the largest in Latin America, and women-owned businesses tend to be overrepresented in the informal sector and to be less profitable than firms in the formal sector.

3

Increasing Formality and Productivity of Bolivian Firms

This book presents qualitative and quantitative analyses on Bolivia’s informal sector, the reasons why firms are informal, and the impact of normalization on their profitability.

4

Formality of the Little $N$-disks Operad:

Pascal Lambrechts, Ismar Volić. that sends a configuration of n m-disks to the
configuration of n N-disks where the center of each N-disk is the image under ε of
the center of the corresponding m-disk and has the same radius. This clearly …

5

A mere formality: a novel

When Cynthia becomes dissatisfied with her marriage to Clay Edwards and suspects that he is unfaithful, she tries to take control of her life

6

The World a Global Village: Intercultural Competence in …

Formality. Leech and Svartvik (1994: 29) define formal language as “the type of
language we publicly use for some serious purpose”, as in official reports,
business letters and academic writing. In a similar vein, Fairclough (1989: 65)
describes …

7

Liberty, authority, formality: political ideas and culture, …

The essays in this volume are all inspired by the historical scholarship of J.C. Davis.

8

True Religion Delineated; Or, Experimental Religion, …

… Demolished, and the Truth, as it is in Jesus, Explained and Proved … Joseph
Bellamy. TRUE RELIGION DELINEATED AND Distinguisloed from all
Counterfeits, i EXPERIMENTAL RELIGION, Distinguished from Formality on the
one hand,

9

A Theory of Precedent: From Analytical Positivism to a …

legal deliberation.36 If a legal argument cannot be overridden by some
countervailing arguments of an axiological and/or teleological kind, a high
degree of mandatory formality is entailed; whereas a low degree of mandatory
formality is, …

10

Royal Horticultural Society’s New Classic Gardens: Formality …

A dynamic new approach to gardening, New Classic Gardens explores how traditional formal design is being reinterpreted to suit todayís small-scale outdoor rooms and reflect the tastes and lifestyles of gardeners in the twenty-first century …

KAT Bench in Kalaburagi: Cabinet nod only a formality now, says …

KAT Bench in Kalaburagi: Cabinet nod only a formality now, says … of the Cabinet was only a formality now as the Chief Minister himself had … «The Hindu, Jul 15»

Barton Hill Hotel goes on the auction block; owners say it’s a formality

Barton Hill Hotel goes on the auction block; owners say it’s a formality. The owners of the Barton Hill Hotel don’t expect any other bidders at the … «Buffalo News, Jul 15»

Vk On Sports :: Keith Thurman calls out Floyd Mayweather after fight

In what has become a formality with the most talented welterweights in the world, Thurman took the chance to call out pound-for-pound king … «SportsBlog.com, Jul 15»

Wimbledon champ Serena Williams on the brink of golden Grand …

Not that taking her sixth Wimbledon – and first since 2012 – was a formality. In fact Williams was made to fight from start to finish after losing her … «Daily Star, Jul 15»

For the record | News | The Guardian

… the company was set up in 2005 he agreed to act as company secretary on the basis that it was a purely administrative role and a formality. «The Guardian, Jul 15»

Shenhua must start development before October 2016 | afr.com

… Roberts said the NSW government had «almost no discretion» in this process, which sources said was usually an administrative formality. «The Australian Financial Review, Jul 15»

Fabian Delph had plenty of reasons to stay at Aston Villa — ESPN FC

… was undergoing a medical. Unhappy fans braced themselves for the inevitable announcement — the sale of the captain seemed a formality. «ESPN FC, Jul 15»

Manchester United and Bayern Munich Confirm Bastian … — 90min

The deal is subject to a medical and personal terms, but it’s thought that those steps are just a formality at this point. It was reported on Friday … «90min, Jul 15»

Surack not too busy to volunteer | Local | Journal Gazette

But it’s mostly a formality. “I don’t think there’s ever been a time when I’ve said, ‘No, that’s not a good organization,’ ” Lisa Surack said. «Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Jul 15»

RGS Guildford celebrate schools cricket festival triumph — Get Surrey

Victory was by no means a formality on such a true pitch but Duncan Ashworth’s 3-24 dismembered the top order, his swing taking advantage … «Get Surrey, Jul 15»

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