What is formally? Pronunciation and usage in English

formally means . Learn how to pronounce and use formally through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of formally

formallyadverb

/ˈfɔːməli/
Definition & pronunciation of formally

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "formally." It's a tricky one for many English learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables:

The word is broken down into three syllables:

  • Form - as in, "form" meaning a shape.
  • Al - rhymes with "hall" or "stall."
  • -ly - This is a common suffix that turns an adjective into an adverb.

2. Phonetic Breakdown (using International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA):

  • /fɔːrm/ (Form) – The "or" sound is a bit like the "or" in "born." It's a long "o" sound.
  • /ˈæl/ (Al) – A short "a" sound, like in "apple."
  • /li/ – A short "i" sound, like in "sit."

3. Putting it Together - How to Say it:

The whole word is pronounced something like: FORM-al-ly

4. Tips & Considerations:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the first syllable: FORM.
  • "Al" sound: Make sure you pronounce the "al" clearly and distinctly. Don't let it blend together with the "form."
  • "ly" suffix: The "-ly" is pronounced fairly simply as "ly."

Resources for Hearing It:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you a native English speaker, or are you learning the language?
  • Where are you from? (Some accents can influence pronunciation.)

Usage and examples with the word formally in English

Let's break down how to use the word "formally" in English. It's a tricky word because it can be used in a few different ways, and often it's misused. Here's a detailed explanation:

1. As an Adverb (Most Common Use):

  • Meaning: This is the most common way to use "formally." It means "in a formal way," "according to established rules or procedures," or "with a sense of decorum and respect."

  • Examples:

    • "She formally introduced the speaker." (Meaning: She did it in a proper, polite way.)
    • "The company formally announced its new policy." (Meaning: They announced it according to official procedures.)
    • "We formally requested a meeting with the CEO." (Meaning: We made a formal written request.)
    • "He formally declared his candidacy for president." (Meaning: He announced his candidacy officially, according to the established process.)
    • "They were formally recognized for their achievements." (Meaning: They received recognition in a formal ceremony or acknowledgement.)

2. As a Past Participle (Used with "have” or “be” – Less Common):

  • Meaning: When used as a past participle, "formally" describes something that has already been done according to formal rules. It often implies a legal or official process.

  • Examples:

    • "The contract was formally signed yesterday." (Meaning: The contract was signed according to the established legal process.)
    • "The charges were formally presented to the court." (Meaning: The charges were presented in a proper legal way.)
    • "She has formally resigned from her position." (Meaning: She submitted her resignation according to the company's official procedures.)
    • "The documents were formally approved." (They were approved according to the protocol.)

Key Differences & How to Tell the Difference:

  • Adverb: Focuses on how something is done – the manner of action. You'll typically see it modifying a verb. (e.g., "She formally thanked the guests.")
  • Past Participle: Focuses on the state of having been done formally. You’ll see it used with "have" or "be." (e.g., “The notice formally confirmed the changes.”)

Important Note: "Formally" is often interchangeable with "officially," "properly," "ceremonially," or "legally," depending on the context.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Don't use it just to mean "seriously" or "very." "He formally disagreed" doesn't make sense. You’d use a word like "strongly" or "vehemently" instead.
  • Don't use it to imply something is stiff or stuffy. "We formally greeted the dignitaries" doesn’t necessarily mean the greeting was awkward. It just means they followed proper etiquette.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about using "formally" in? (e.g., a business letter, a legal document, a conversation, etc.)

Synonyms for the word formally

Practice with vocabulary formally

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The university requires all research proposals to be submitted ____ through the online portal.
  2. During the negotiation, both parties agreed to conduct all future discussions ____ to ensure clarity and avoid misunderstandings.
  3. New employees must complete all compliance training modules ____ before commencing their duties.
  4. The instructions stated that all lab reports should follow the specified format ____ to avoid point deductions.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. The CEO decided to ____ announce the new policy during the quarterly all-hands meeting to emphasize its importance. a) casually b) formally c) informally d) unofficially

  2. Which of the following situations typically requires acting or speaking in a formal manner? (Choose all that apply) a) Giving a presentation to the Board of Directors. b) Brainstorming ideas with a small team. c) Submitting a grant application to a government agency. d) Engaging in a casual chat with a colleague during a coffee break.

  3. To ensure legal validity, the contract was ____ signed by all involved parties in the presence of a notary public. a) casually b) correctly c) officially d) formally

  4. All employees are expected to ____ adhere to the company’s strict confidentiality agreement regarding client data. a) loosely b) strictly c) broadly d) casually

  5. Before presenting your findings, you should ____ verify all data points for accuracy and consistency. a) superficially b) partially c) thoroughly d) quickly

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite the sentence, using "formally" or a related word form: Original: "They made a request for the necessary documents in an official manner, following all established protocols."

  2. Rewrite the sentence, using "formally" or a related word form: Original: "The dress code for the upcoming diplomatic reception is quite conservative and professional."

  3. Rewrite the sentence, making sure not to use "formally" or any related word form, but maintaining the original meaning: Original: "The committee formally approved the budget proposal after extensive deliberation."

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. formally
  2. formally
  3. properly
  4. strictly

Exercise 2:

  1. b) formally
  2. a) Giving a presentation to the Board of Directors. c) Submitting a grant application to a government agency.
  3. c) officially d) formally
  4. b) strictly
  5. c) thoroughly

Exercise 3:

  1. They formally requested the necessary documents, following all established protocols.
  2. Attendees are expected to dress formally for the upcoming diplomatic reception.
  3. The committee officially approved the budget proposal after extensive deliberation.

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